OBITUARY
John Jordan, an alcoholic and drug addict who sobered up, became a drug counselor and helped a benefactor build a successful business in Houston, was fatally injured on April 19 in a motorcycle accident in western Colorado. He was 49.
Jordan, driving his Harley-Davidson in high winds on Interstate 70 between the towns of De Beque and Parachute apparently lost control of his bike, said his wife, Karen Keenum Jordan.
He had never had a serious accident before, she said.
"He was a tattooed, goateed, bad-ass Harley driver with a bullet in his shoulder and a tough exterior and a heart of gold," said Larry Keast.
It wasn't long after Keast and Jordan met that Keast learned that Jordan had worked on oil rigs, handling equipment similar to that manufactured by the company Keast had founded, Venturetech Corp. in Houston. Keast brought Jordan on board.
"(Jordan) was a key person in the development of our company," Keast said.
His happy experience with Jordan as an employee prompted Keast to hire other recovering alcoholics and drug abusers. Of Keast's present 50 employees, about 40 percent fall into that category, he said.
Jordan became a board member of America in Recovery, an organization that encourages owners of small businesses to hire people who need a second chance in life.
At the time of his death, Jordan was working with Leed Energy Services in Colorado, living in an RV and traveling wherever he could find work on a rig.
Diana Lindsey, who met Jordan through their common interest in motorcycles, said Jordan began counseling her 16-year-old son, Derek, who was having drug problems. She said Jordan did all he could to help Derek, but her son died of a drug overdose at age 26.
"He loved John, and John spoke at his funeral," she said. "He told Derek: 'If you continue with these drugs, you'll end up dead or in prison.' John was our rock. ... John touched everybody's heart."
Of Jordan's accident, Lindsey said: "John died doing what he loved. He was on his motorcycle." Jordan also loved to fish, earning the nickname "Catfish John," she said.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Kevin Jordan of Grand Junction, Colo., and Jason Jordan of Palisade, Colo.; a daughter, Jessica Jordan of Humble, now attending Texas State University in San Marcos; his mother, Joy Jordan of Galveston; and two sisters, LeeAnn Baird of Angleton and Frances Funkhouser of Okemah, Okla.
Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting. 
