Lauren Harrison Jordan, 88, passed away from complications of COPD and Parkinson’s disease March 14, 2017, at his home in Pilot Rock. Lauren loved life and fought hard to stay in it. He loved his family and will be greatly missed by them.

Lauren was born Aug. 31, 1928, in Portland to Stephen Harrison (Harry) Jordan and Lorraine E. Peterson Jordan. He spent his youth in the Burns, Vale, and Westfall areas.

At a young age, Lauren joined the U.S. Coast Guard and served with the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1946. Upon his return from WWII, Lauren continued his education, graduating from Crane Union High School. On Sept. 21, 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Jean Barnes. They made their home in Burns where he worked for Edward Hines Lumber Company as a scaler. He then went to work for the U.S. Forest Service, working for the Malheur National Forest, and later moving to Prineville to work on the Ochoco National Forest District, retiring in 1978. Lauren absolutely enjoyed his career and coworkers at the Forest Service. It also gave him the opportunity to introduce his children to the outdoors and many adventurous summers growing up on the Forest Service look outs. Memories they will always cherish. Through examples, he taught his kids the value of hard work, being honest, and believing in yourself. Lauren spent many years as a 4-H leader teaching gun safety, as well as first aid classes. He was an Elks member for 40 years.

After retirement, Lauren and Donna moved to a small farm in Pilot Rock. Among his hobbies, Lauren was an avid collector of older guns that he would spend hours rebuilding and refinishing. He also had a passion for studying the history of the wars. Lauren was a quiet man and a man that loved his children, sons- and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren fiercely.

Lauren is survived by his wife of 69 years, Donna Jordan, at the family home in Pilot Rock; sons, Randy Jordan (Cathy) of Rock Island, Wash., and Dennis Jordan (Glenna) of Dayville; daughters, Shirley Reyes (Paul) of Wenatchee, Wash., Marilyn White (Jim) of Juntura, Patty Mallars (John) of Pilot Rock, and Brenda Olson (Albert Bowers) of Vancouver, Wash.; sibling, Gina and family of California; and sister-in-law, Lena Jordan of Riverside, Calif. Lauren was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorraine E Peterson Jordan; father, Stephen Harrison Jordan; and brothers, Gilbert Jordan of Arizona, and Lowell Jordan of California.

Services and interment will be held at a later date.