Niles C. ‘Sonny’ Jordan, 82, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
Sonny was born on December 01, 1925 in Lyman, Washington, the son of Cecil Francis and Alice Mary Niles Jordan.
Sonny, as he was known to anyone that ever met him, was raised and attended grade school in Lyman and graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School with the class of 1943. During his high school years he excelled as a student, and as an athlete in a number of sports, especially baseball.
After high school Sonny enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WW II, serving his country from 1943 until the end of the war. He saw combat while serving on the USS Bennett in Guadal Canal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa in the Pacific Theater.
After his return from the war he continued his education at Mount Vernon Junior College Skagit Valley College, where he played football and baseball. During this time Sonny played baseball for the Sedro-Woolley Baseball Team in a local city league and while playing for that team he was picked up by a pro scout.
In 1948 Sonny was united in marriage to Esther Ione Wardell. They had met during Sonny’s senior year of high school and her freshman year.
Sonny played professional baseball in the National League with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. ‘Glorious and awestruck’ is how he described his time in the show. Among his best memories were the games he pitched with Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts. He said ‘pitching with him was mind-boggling’.
When he retired his cleats in 1958 he returned to Sedro-Woolley and worked briefly at Skagit Steel and then started a long career in the shake/lumber mill industry with Willis Rogers and Pearson, retiring in 1990.
Sonny had a generous spirit and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
He was an avid golfer and a prior member of the Skagit Golf and Country Club and loved gardening, and always handed out his harvest to friends and family. He was especially known for his mastery of growing tomatoes.
Sonny is survived by his wife of 60 years, Esther, at the family home in Sedro-Woolley. 2 daughters, Shauna Jordan and her husband Jeff Oiness of Sedro-Woolley and Heidi Manion and her husband, Tim of Burlington. 6 grandchildren, Elizabeth & Joseph Oiness and Steven, Troy, Levi and Annie Manion. 3 sisters-in-law and their husbands, Edythe Wardell & Basil Taylor, Elayne Wardell Ricks and Ethel Wardell & James Hill. 1 brother-in-law, Norbert Sparrs and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Heatha Jordan and 2 sisters, Marge Sparrs and Patsy Jordan.
The family would like to extend their warmest thanks to Dr. Jay Cocheba and his staff at the Wound Care Center at Skagit Valley Hospital for all of the loving care they gave to him during his illness. Thank you to Life Care Center of Sedro-Woolley, also to the wonderful people at Joy’s Sedro-Woolley Bakery for all their camaraderie and treats proved him and to his friends at Valley Hardware in Sedro-Woolley.
Memorials are suggested to the Wound Care Center at Skagit Valley Hospital or a charity of your choice.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 1:00 PM at Lemley Chapel with Pastor Tim Hedberg and Stan Wing officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will be held at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.
Visitation is available at and services under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Uncle Sonny, I love you and will miss you, especially since we are going to your hometown for the 4th of July celebration this year. It’s not going to be the same without you. I want you to meet my boys, all three of them. Damn! Almost named my second after you…really should have. You would be proud of this little guy. He loves baseball. Throws baseballs and swings bats with power and he’s only 18 months old. We will have a toast in honor of you at the Reunion. Hugs to you!