FATHER COLLINS P. JORDAN

Funeral Announcement and Eulogy Notes by Dave Strain and Lionel Bordeaux

Fr. Collins P. Jordan, also known as coach C. P., died at the Bennett County Nursing Home on January 17, 2004

C. P. was born on January 27, 1917 to Collins C. Jordan and Sophia Elk in Wood, South Dakota. He spent his early years at the Jordon Orchard Ranch. Having lost both of his parents at an early age, C. P. was raised by his aunt, Mary Jordan Bordeaux, wife of Alexander Bordeaux, Jr.. until he could attend the St. Francis Indian Mission. C. P. spent his formative years between the Jordan and Bordeaux AB Ranches and St. Francis Mission.

C. P. was a tremendous basketball player, and a super athlete in general. He excelled in whatever he participated in. His play and teams are legendary. During the 1930’s C. P. played in several National Catholic High School Tournaments held in Chicago. In 1937 C. P. and the St. Francis Scarlet Warriors placed third in the National Catholic Tournament. C. P. was named to the all tourney teams at the South Dakota Catholic and National Catholic High School Tournaments. Later C. P.’s team won a runner-up spot in the National Catholic Tournament. A teammate missed a lay-up at the end of the game that would have won the championship game for St. Francis.

C. P. talked fondly over the years of the time his team beat the famed Harlem Globetrotters in St. Francis. C. P. stole the ball in the last moments of the game with the Globetrotters leading by a point. C. P. put on a dribbling exhibition himself. He eventually drove to the basket, put in a lay-up with St. Francis winning by a point. C. P. later remarked, “ Upon stealing the ball, I was scared that the Globetrotters were coming at me from all sides. I was trying to get away.” C. P. further related that the Globetrotter’s legendary coach, Abe Saperstein, invited him to form an Indian team. They would travel together. However, World War II interfered, so it did not work out.

During his coaching career, C. P. coached at Assumption (N. Dakota) Junior College and held various coaching and teaching position at Marty Mission, St. Francis, St. Labre (Montana), St. Xavier(Montana), as well as Holy Rosary (Red Cloud), and Little Wound. While coaching at Stephan in the early 1950’s C. P.’s teams won five straight Indian Catholic Basketball Tournament Championships in Rapid City. These teams compiled an overall record of 71 wins and 14 losses. C. P.’s basketball philosophy was simple. “Fundamentals and Defense”

C. P. was inducted into the Black Hills College Yellow Jackets’ Hall of Fame as a coach in 1990. He was inducted into the Lakota Nation Basketball Tournament Hall of Fame as a coach in 2002.

C. P. received his B. A. in English from Black Hills State College in 1971. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from the Catholic Seminary at South Union, Kentucky. He was the first Lakota, and Lakota speaking priest to be ordained for the Catholic Diocese of Rapid City. C. P. retired from the priesthood in 1992.

C. P. served his country during World War II as a sailor in the Pacific Campaign. His ship was sunk. He and several of his shipmates were rescued from the ocean, only to see action for another day. C. P. enjoyed his travels to other parts of the world. He had no fear of hitchhiking wherever he wanted to go. Whether it be San Francisco, Chicago or Kyle. The latter he was noted to do later in life. His friendliness and popularity always got him through. He was a brilliant and compassionate man with knowledge of several languages. He took the greatest pride in his ability to speak Lakota, and his Lakota name, Cetan Luta (Red Hawk).

C. P. was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, Col. Charles P. Jordan and Julie Blue Eyes Jordan of the Red Cloud family; his uncles, Charles B., Edward E., William W., John D., David J., Everard C., and his aunt, Mary Julia Bordeaux. He is survived by his cousins, Bertha Bordeaux, Harvey Jordan, Donald Jordan, Edith Tatum, Kenneth Bordeaux, and Gertrude Little Thunder. Among other relatives are the Bice and Heacock relatives; numerous nieces and nephews, and many grandchildren.

C. P. will be missed tremendously. His spirit has once again found freedom. Those who remain have been strengthened by his good naturedness. We thank him for who he was and for what he did for the people and his country. A memorial scholarship will be established.

Wake services were held January 21, 2004 at Digmann Hall in St. Francis. Music was provided by Ted Bordeaux and Donald “Skeeter” Leader Charge. The Drum Group was Red Leaf. Lakota prayers were offered by spiritual leader, Sam Wounded Head. Funeral services were held at the St. Charles Church in St. Francis, South Dakota on January 22, 2004. The eulogy was presented by Dave Strain. Burial was at the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were Pete St. John, Dale Ducheneaux, Francis Traversie, Harvey Jordan, Albert White Hat, Mike Boltz, Paris Picotte, Ron Gassman, Paris Bordeaux, and Lionel Bordeaux. Honorary pallbearers were members of the 1950-55 Stephan Chieftain teams, other coaches and former ballplayers.