Ronald Jordan

Ronald Jordan, 72, of Spotsylvania County died Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at his residence.

Ronald Jordan was a native of Henderson, N.C. He attended elementary and high school at Henderson Institute. Always having an interest in music and drama, Ronald was an outstanding performer in the Henderson Institute band and won several awards for his work in drama.

Ronald was always active in the church, where he once served as the Sunday school superintendent at his home church, Spring Street Baptist Church, while still in high school.

Ronald would graduate as one of the most-popular students in one of the largest graduating classes from Henderson Institute at the time.

After graduation, Ronald would be the first in his family to attend college, pursuing his interest in music.

In 1955, he began his college career and a lifelong affinity for Virginia State College in Petersburg. He was voted "king," signifying the outstanding male freshman during orientation week in 1955. His popularity did not diminish for the remainder of his time at Virginia State College. Again, he would excel in his musical endeavors, as well as the theater where he won several awards.

After 10 years of service to the Essex County public schools, he would move his talents further north to the city of Fredericksburg in the fall of 1971, where he became the band director at James Monroe High School. From 1971 to 1991, the JMHS band was known for its ability to perform, winning awards that would take it to Temple University in the early '70s to Atlanta, Ga. and the Peach Bowl in the early '80s.

The band was renowned for its showmanship during this period, and Ronald's reputation in the community centered around the band's award-winning performances.

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