POLAND — Rev. Laurence T. Jordan, of Poland, was born March 16, 1924, in Bethel, and passed away Thursday, April 27, in his home, surrounded by the family he loved so much.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary E. Jordan; and his five children, Judith Jordan Kalush, Jeanne E. Manley, Mark L. Jordan, John N. Jordan and Peter E. Jordan; in addition to myriad grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Laurence began life as a farmer’s son in rural Maine, and graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn. During World War II, he served as a TEC4 Radio Operator in the U.S. Army 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) in the European theater. The unit frequently operated behind enemy lines gathering intelligence. On March 25, 1945, somewhere in Austria, TEC4 Jordan was shot though the jaw during a firefight with the enemy, and was evacuated to medical care. Though the war ended about 6 months later, it would be a full year before he was rehabilitated.
On Aug. 3, 1946, Laurence was married to Mary E. Groves. He subsequently finished his degree at Gordon College, was ordained as a Baptist minister, served as pastor of Marston’s Corner Baptist Church in Auburn, and had three children, Judith, Jeanne and Mark. In 1956, Laurence and Mary went to serve as pioneer missionaries in northeast Brazil, remaining in service there until 1978. During their time in Brazil, they had two additional children, John and Peter.
After returning to the Unites States to stay, Laurence served as pastor of Pleasant Street Baptist Church in Mechanic Falls, and the Green Baptist Church in Green. Laurence and Mary have been members of East Auburn Baptist Church for almost three decades, where Laurence continued his service as an Elder. He loved his own family, his church family, and most everyone he met. Laurence had a long, well-lived life filled with love, service, honor and integrity. His trademark dry sense of humor and unbridled delight in a well-timed pun were a delight to his family and friends. His rock-solid faith in God was an inspiration to us all. While we will sorely miss this amazing man, we can rejoice in the knowledge that he is resting safe in the arms of his Savior, and that we will one day meet again.
Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.
Rev. Laurence T. Jordan
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