The civil rights activist and Washington power broker who died Monday had been a longtime summer visitor to the Vineyard.
Vernon Jordan, the civil rights activist and Washington power broker who died Monday, had been a longtime summer visitor to the Vineyard, where he played golf with Presidents Clinton and Obama, celebrated his birthday every year and put his feet up on the porch while smoking a cigar.
Mr. Jordan gives Lucy Hackney a hug after medal ceremony for Sheldon Hackney at the Old Whaling Church, 2013.
Mr. Jordan gives Lucy Hackney a hug after medal ceremony for Sheldon Hackney at the Old Whaling Church, 2013.
The Island was a place he held close to his heart, friends said.
Mr. Jordan was 85. He had come to the Vineyard every August for some three decades. He became a much-photographed figure on the Island in the 1990s when President Clinton and his family began summering on the Vineyard. In those years Mr. Jordan and his longtime friend could be found on the links at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs nearly every day.
“He loved it here. Really loved it,” said Ronald H. Rappaport, an Edgartown attorney who was a close friend and across-the-street summer neighbor to Mr. Jordan for many years in Chilmark.
“He loved sitting back on the screened porch, putting his feet up on a chair smoking a cigar. He loved going to Farm Neck and playing golf. He loved the people. He was truly at rest and at peace here . . . it may sound trite, but it was such a privilege to know him,” Mr. Rappaport said.
“I remember Vernon’s 80th [birthday] on the Vineyard when so many of his wonderful friends were there. I was so honored to be, if not the oldest person in the room, his oldest friend,” wrote Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the acclaimed journalist and Oak Bluffs resident, in an email to the Gazette. “For I was able to recall when he took his first steps on the road to helping create a more perfect union.”
Mr. Jordan was Ms. Hunter-Gault’s attorney 60 years ago when she and another student were the first African Americans admitted to the historically segregated University of Georgia.
“He walked me through the screaming, racist mobs protesting my entry into the University of Georgia as the first of two black students, the result of a case he was critical in helping win,” Ms. Hunter-Gault said. “He was a newly minted lawyer and yet he discovered the one piece of evidence that demonstrated the university officials were lying about why I couldn’t be admitted.” She concluded:
“And here we are this year marking the 60th anniversary of that landmark ruling that has opened the door to so many students of color over the years and that set me on my wonderful journalistic journey. I will celebrate Vernon now and always. Long live!”
Mr. Jordan with his friend Robert Day at charter school science wing dedication, 2016.
Mr. Jordan with his friend Robert Day at charter school science wing dedication, 2016.
Henry Louis Gates Jr., another Oak Bluffs summer resident and friend, added his own memories.
“He escorted Charlayne through those columns of racist people . . . I was watching that evening on our little black and white 12-inch TV with my parents, looking at these two brave people, tall, elegant Vernon Jordan,” he recalled.
“The Vineyard has lost one of its genuine monuments and America has lost one of its heroes.”
On the Vineyard, beyond the unavoidably public outings with presidents on the golf course, Mr. Jordan mostly shunned the limelight, never granting interviews, preferring to enjoy spending time with close friends and family.
But he left his mark in quiet, sometimes unexpected ways.
His signature deep, mellifluous voice is still recorded on the answering machine for State Road restaurant in West Tisbury, a favorite haunt.
In 2013 he presented the annual Martha’s Vineyard Museum Medal to Sheldon Hackney, the late historian and academic who was a longtime Vineyard resident and friend.
In 2016 a new science wing at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School was named for Mr. Jordan, a gift from another longtime friend Robert Day, an Edgartown summer resident.
Mr. Day gave the school $500,000 to help build the state-of-the-art Jordan Science Center. In August that year Mr. Jordan was on hand to help cut the ribbon.
“Vernon . . . has contributed so much to everybody in his life,” Mr. Day said at the ceremony.
In rare personal remarks, Mr. Jordan recalled the segregated high school he had attended in Atlanta, Ga., which had one Bunsen burner in the chemistry lab, with a dollar budgeted for each black student and $4 for each white student.
“This, today, is a long way from then and there,” he said.
“I’m 81 years old and I have 80 honorary degrees from some of the best schools in this country, but this [science center] named for me thanks to my friend Robert Day means as much to me as any one of those honorary degrees, or all of them combined. It means that much to me.”
He is survived by his second wife Ann, a daughter Vickee Jordan, two grandsons and three stepchildren.
Louisa Hufstader contributed reporting.
Comments
Mr. Jordan was such a
Scott Ryan New JerseyMr. Jordan was such a wonderful man with so many selfless accomplishments.The island has lost a true hero! May he rest in peace, and may his memory be a comfort to all who loved him.
Only Vernon could find a way
skip OBOnly Vernon could find a way to give us one more day of Black History. Sigh, RIP
VICKEE,BARRY & FAMILY GOD
GODSPAL MVVICKEE,BARRY & FAMILY GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS.
Vernon was a part of Farm
Tim Sweet OBVernon was a part of Farm Neck for over 25 years and was one of our most admired and beloved members. "Larger than life," epitomized Vernon. He loved people and everyone loved him back. He was unfailingly kind and considerate, no matter your station in life. For all the success he achieved in his life and career, he never forgot from where he came and was deeply appreciative for everything that came his way. His friendships were lifelong and his advice was legendary. He earned the respect of Presidents and working stiffs alike with his abundance of common sense. Sadly, it was about this time of year when he would start calling to ask about all things Vineyard and talk about his plans for the upcoming summer. He loved the place.
He is going to be dearly missed by everyone he has ever touched - and there are so many. I am proud to have known him and prouder still to have been able to call him a friend. A very good man and a life well lived.
I have known Vernon Jordan
Philip Hart LA, EdgI have known Vernon Jordan since he succeeded the late Whitney Young as the Urban League CEO and I was a young man working for the Lansing, Michigan Urban League. I enjoyed running into Vernon on MV, including in August 2019 when he delivered the keynote address at the annual HistoryMakers dinner at Farm Neck. Vernon survived being shot by a white supremacist to become a loved and influential man in many circles. As with his exemplary life we will all survive this latest bout with white supremacy with Vernon as our astute guide. Rest In Peace and Power Vernon Jordan.
Vernon A true gentleman!!!
Jim EdgartownVernon A true gentleman!!! Bill Clinton well not so much
I moved Vernon from rental to
TRIP BARNES VINEYARD HAVENI moved Vernon from rental to rental and stored a small load every winter for him for years ....when i landed him at the Allen farm he never moved again He was home He was loved..He was part of the Vineyard and the Vineyard was part of Vernon God bless him Trip Barnes
He was a devoted law partner,
Islander EdgartownHe was a devoted law partner, mentor and friend for many years. The highlight of my years at Akin Gump was working with Vernon — you never stopped learning from him. He had an infectious personality and a real joy for life. He will be missed.
The one thing that you could
Joseph Burkett ChilmarkThe one thing that you could say about Vernon was the real truth was he was “larger than life”
He was a client and friend for many a summer as I attempted to as he would say “make me feel like a kid again” as I manipulated his massive frame and as I worked he shared many a story with me of which I will keep w me for the rest of my life.
Vernon not only left a permanent mark at Jordan science center at MVPCS and his spirit will remain on the fairways of farm neck and his sunsets at Allen farm
RIP my brother Vernon !!!
Thanks for your sage advice !!
Sometime, I think in the late
Hugh Weisman ChilmarkSometime, I think in the late 1960's, my mom who was a real estate agent told me that she had a client who was the new head of the Urban League of Westchester County. She was able to find him a house in what had previously been an all white section of Hartsdale. My recollection is that it went off without much of a problem, but I assume there were other realtors who wouldn't work with my mom after that.We were honored to attend a few Westchester Urban League dinners after that with my mom as his guest....and we very proud to do so. Years later, when we became reacquainted on the Vineyard at his birthday parties, he made me feel so good that he remember my mom with what I can only describe as warmth and love.
A leader amongst leaders. So
Mickey Williams Washington DCA leader amongst leaders. So humble,
Caring and giving. The Vineyard and our Nation has lost a true treasure. Sincere Condolences to the Jordan family and of us who were lucky enough to come across his path.
Great article on a well
Chris ChappyGreat article on a well respected attorney and Counselor at Law. I think the lead photograph was a poor choice. Seriously.
It was an honor that Mr.
Zita Cousens Oak BluffsIt was an honor that Mr. Jordan visited my gallery, Cousen Rose Gallery in Oak Bluffs. I remember unpacking paintings when he spotted a golfer by Larry Johnson. He asked me to hang the piece and no sooner as the painting was displayed on the wall, he purchased it. Mr. Jordan was an amazing, distinguished man. He will be missed but will have a lasting impact.
The joys of knowing Vernon
Nancy Rollnick Palm BeachThe joys of knowing Vernon Jordan were only obscured by the simple pleasures in being Vernon Jordan. He loved... and we loved him.
Nancy Ellison and Bill Rollnick
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