By KC Smith
A Community Tradition Draws Record Attendance
Cooleemee’s annual Fourth of July parade had record attendance this year despite the very high temperatures and humidity.
Spectators lined the sidewalks, beginning at the shade line, while some brave souls stood in the direct sunlight. Honestly, I don’t know how they withstood such heat.
As we know, however, the parades in Cooleemee don’t last very long—just ten minutes this year.
As soon as the parade ended, everyone headed to the Zachary House for grilled hot dogs, water, watermelon, freeze pops, an 18-foot water slide, and a smaller slide for the younger children.
Benita Finney sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Honoring Grand Marshal David “Dude” Jordan
This year’s Grand Marshal was David “Dude” Jordan.
Jordan has remained an active member of the Civitan Club since its founding 33 years ago. He has served as president for many years, helped build wheelchair ramps for community residents, and participated in the club’s efforts to provide free books to elementary school students.
The Civitan Club supports children’s homes, Victory Junction, and a center for children with disabilities in Rosewater, Alabama. Members also have the opportunity to use the Civitan building on U.S. 601 in Cooleemee free of charge for personal events such as parties and family reunions.
How “Dude” Got His Name
David received the nickname “Dude” from his cousin Kenny, who couldn’t pronounce “David.” He has carried that nickname throughout his life. Calling Dude an all-around good guy is certainly true, but he’s much more than that. He was a strong leader of the Royal Ambassadors (RAs) at First Baptist Church, where he remains a faithful member.
Family and Career
He married the beautiful Linda Chappell Jordan, who was beautiful both inside and out. The couple had three sons: Mark, Ronnie, and Carl. His parents were the late Loman and Blanche Jordan. The family included two sons, Johnny and Joe, and two daughters, Joyce and the late Kathy Jordan. At the age of 19, Jordan married Linda in South Carolina. Their wedding witnesses were Bob and Dreama Spillman, and when the Spillmans were married, the Jordans served as witnesses for them. Jordan worked at the mill for six years before accepting a position at Cellanese, where he retired after 33 years of service.
A Lifetime of Memories in Cooleemee
Jordan was a member of the first freshman class at Davie High School. He played Little League, Pony League, and American Legion baseball in Davie County. Over the years, he has also spent countless hours enjoying the game of golf.
His first car was a black 1955 Ford convertible, and his favorite Christmas gift was a Gene Autry guitar. He treasures memories of spending time with friends at the Recreation Center and admits to getting into trouble more than once by sneaking off to the Bull Hole.
A True Cooleemee Original
Dude is a true Cooleemee original. He is one of the many residents who found new employment after the mill closed, allowing him to continue living in his mill house. His story represents the resilience of so many men who grew up in Cooleemee—a true good ol’ boy. Today, Jordan enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren, Danielle and Dustin, and his great-grandson, Elijah.
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