Kris Jordan, a Republican who represented Delaware County in Ohio’s House of Representatives, died Saturday of natural causes. He was 46.
Jordan, of Ostrander, was serving his third term as state representative for Ohio’s 60th District. He previously spent eight years in the Ohio Senate.
A lifelong resident of Delaware County, Jordan was elected to his first term as a county commissioner at the age of 25. He went on to become a state representative in 2008, according to his biography.
Jordan was an Ohio State University graduate and an active member of the National Rifle Association, Delaware County Right to Life and the Delaware County Farm Bureau.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags at the Ohio Statehouse and at public buildings and grounds throughout Delaware County to be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of Jordan’s funeral, the date of which had not been announced as of Saturday afternoon.
“Fran and I are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Representative Kris Jordan,” DeWine said in a statement. “We extend our sincerest condolences to his entire family for this most unexpected loss. Kris will be remembered for his expertise as a legislator and his advocacy for the people of Delaware County.”
As word of his passing spread Saturday, Jordan’s friends and colleagues offered tributes to his memory.
“Kris was a loving father, a man of faith, a leader, and a person I considered a very dear friend,” Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens said in a memo to House members. “My heart goes out to Kris’s family, especially his three children and loving parents, Ralph and Pat. Please keep them and all of his loved ones in your prayers.”
Steve Cuckler, an attorney and former chair of the Delaware County Republican Party, said Jordan was devoted to Delaware County.
“Good man, good family man,” Cuckler told The Dispatch.
State Sen. Andrew Brenner said in a Facebook post that he and Jordan were friends for three decades who routinely gave each other political advice and talked on a regular basis.
“His death is a great loss to our county’s Republican Party, the Ohio Statehouse and the conservative movement,” Brenner said.
Former state Rep. Rick Carfagna said he was stunned by Jordan’s passing.
“We attended Buckeye Boys State together and were staffers together for the late State Representative Jon Peterson. His heart was always in public service, and I’m grateful for the time we shared together representing Delaware County and coordinating on projects of shared interest.
“My heart aches for his three children, his former wife Melissa, and his parents for losing him way too soon. His governance has been a constant during Delaware County’s growth over the past two decades and we have much to celebrate because of his service.”
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou called Jordan a fine man and a great public servant for Ohioans.
“Our thoughts are with his colleagues and family during this most difficult time,” Triantafilou said.
Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
Monroe Trombly covers the workplace and environmental issues for The Dispatch.
mtrombly@dispatch.com
@monroetrombly