Dr. Bobby G. Jordan

Passed 12/28/2021

Obituary For Dr. Bobby G. Jordan

Obituary For Bobby Jordan

Celebration of life services for Dr. Bobby G. Jordan will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at Alfonso Dawson Mortuary and Interment Westview Cemetery. Dr. Jordan leaves to cherish his memory, his daughters Shaunda Jordan Holder and Dr. Kelli Jordan; his son Branden Jordan; his grandchildren Morgan Holder and Jordan Holder; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance for the Celebration of Life service is limited to family and invited guests only and masks are required. Services will be streamed online on the Alfonso Dawson website.

On Friday, January 7, 2022, visitation will be open to all from 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. at Alfonso Dawson Mortuary, 3000 M. L. King Jr. Dr. SW Atlanta, GA, 30311. A Wake will be held in his honor at 5:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, the Jordan family is asking for donations to the Dr. Bobby G. Jordan Book Scholarship which can be accessed at www.drbobbyjordanscholarship.com

Obituary

Dr. Bobby Gene Jordan was born June 8, 1941 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the youngest of seven children born to the union of the late Steve and Mary Jordan. Bobby was a member of Lindsay Street Baptist Church where he started his walk with Christ at a very young age and later joined Jackson Memorial Baptist Church where he was affectionately known as “Uncle Bobby”.

Bobby was a product of Atlanta Public Schools and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1959. He was awarded a band scholarship to Florida A & M University (FAMU) under the tutelage of his mentor Dr. William Foster. Bobby was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Beta Nu Chapter, at Florida A & M University in the Fall of 1960 and maintained his love and devotion to the fraternity throughout his life.

A brilliant student and talented musician, Bobby was inducted into the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music in 1963. Bobby’s early love of learning never abated and served as the foundation of his 42 year-long career as an educator. He began his career as a band director at his beloved alma mater, Booker T. Washington High School where he implemented the Marching 100 style he learned and mastered at FAMU. He built an outstanding band program and left a lasting legacy that Washingtonians still brag about today. Bobby continued his education at Atlanta University earning a Master of Arts (1974), an Education Specialist Degree (1986), and Doctor of Education (1987) in Administration and Supervision.

He went on to educate thousands of students in schools throughout Georgia, including Henderson High School (Principal), Briarcliff High School (Assistant Principal), Booker T. Washington High School (Director of Concert and Marching Bands), Dekalb Community School (Education Supervisor) and Clark College (Assistant Director of Bands).

Bobby was an educator’s educator, having trained dozens of student-teachers and advanced-level educators. Just like the discipline of music, Bobby was known to be exacting and complex, yet empathetic and approachable. He always maintained a high bar of excellence for his students. He has truly left an indelible mark on the lives of so many, mentoring students throughout their lives, long after they graduated high school and navigated the trails of adulthood.

Upon retirement, Bobby continued to spread his love for music throughout the community as one of the founders of the Metropolitan Atlanta Community Band. Over the years, he blazed many trails for educators throughout Georgia and served as the First Black Elected Chairman and the First Black Adjudicator of the Georgia Music Educators’ Association.

An avid golfer since the 90’s, Bobby spent his retirement on golf courses near and far with the Atlanta chapter of Pro Duffers USA. He was a charter member of the chapter, founded in 1995, and volunteered with the “Hook a Kid on Golf Program,” continuing his longstanding commitment to mentorship. You could also find Bobby racing cars, fishing with the Mystic Knights of the Sea and finding solace in photography.

Bobby was proud to serve his Atlanta community with membership in the Washington High School Alumni Association, remaining extraordinarily close to his classmates, bandmates and former students throughout his life. Over the years, Bobby was a member of the DeKalb Association of Secondary School Principals, Northlake Rotary Club, Jackson Memorial Baptist Church, Georgia Music Educators Association, DeKalb Administrators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, FAMU Alumni Association, The Marching 100 Band Alumni Association, and the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity.

Bobby leaves to cherish his memory his loving children Shaunda Jordan Holder, Dr. Kelli R. Jordan, and Branden Jordan; grandchildren, Morgan Holder and Jordan Holder; sister-in-law, Betty Jordan; nephews, Rev. Dr. Gregory A. Sutton (Gail), Rev. Clifford E. Sutton (Brenda), Floyd Lawson Jr. (Belinda), John E. Jordan Jr.; nieces, Gloria T. Gross, Brenda T. Jordan, Sherri Knuckles, Kim Daniely (Willie), and a host of other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.