OXFORD — Dr. Robert Lawrence Jordan, 85, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with the Rev. Ann Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in Eastover Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Waller Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Kosciusko, Dr. Jordan was a retired professor of music at the University of Mississippi. He played the trumpet in the United States Army Band. He received his Bachelor of Arts and his Master’s in Education from the University of Mississippi and earned his Doctor of Education degree from Mississippi State in 1967. He began his teaching career as a high school band director in Canton. He returned to the University of Mississippi in 1969 as professor of Music and head of the Music Education department. During his teaching career, Dr. Jordan mentored countless musicians, future band directors, was instrumental in starting the Ole Miss Jazz Band, directed the State Lions’ Bands and judged many band contests around the state. He played drums in numerous jazz bands around this area.

Survivors include two daughters, Allison Jordan McCord of Batesville and Ashley Jordan Hill of Oxford, and one granddaughter.

Memorial contributions in Dr. Jordan’s memory may be made to Camp Hopewell, 24 CR 231, Oxford, MS or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

To view or sign an online guestbook, visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.