Former UNC Hoops Great Jim Jordan Passes Away.

Oct. 15, 1999

Former Carolina basketball star James (Jim) Jordan passed away on October 14 in Barefoot Bay, Florida at the age of 74. Jordan, who died peacefully in his sleep, is survived by his wife Ann and four children.

Jordan was a star player who came to Carolina during World War II. He played at Mount St. Mary's College for one year and was the team's captain and leading scorer. The Navy transferred him to the ROTC unit at UNC and he became an immediate star for the Tar Heels, lifting Carolina to a 22-6 record. Jordan was the only unanimous selection to the All-Southern Conference team in 1945. A good shooter, Jordan also was a solid rebounder, ball-handler and the team's steadiest leader. When Coach Ben Carnevale would put in his second-stringers, he often would leave Jordan in the game to help calm them down.

He was a star for the 1946 team that posted a 30-5 record and reached the NCAA finals before losing to Oklahoma A&M. The 1946 season marked Carolina's first NCAA Final Four appearance. Jordan was a second-team All-America choice in 1945 and a first-team selection in '46.

After graduating from Carolina, Jordan married his high school sweetheart, Ann Ingram, and went on to practice law in his hometown of Chester, West Virginia. Jordan and his beloved wife Ann retired to Barefoot Bay, Fla. in 1989 where they spent ten wonderful years.

The entire North Carolina athletic community extends heartfelt condolences to the Jordan family.

Note: The following email was sent to TarHeelBlue by Jordan's daughter Jill:

Subject: Old Tar Heels Never Die, They Just Become Angels in Blue

Dear Mr. Bray,

My father played basketball at UNC in the forties. A few years ago, our family was able to attend a celebration when his jersey was honored and added to those hanging in the Dean Dome. His was the #8--James (Jim) Jordan. Dad died yesterday, October 14th peacefully in his sleep.

Dad has enjoyed watching the Tar Heels for as long as I can remember. We couldn't call to talk to him for a few days when they lost--but he waited for the phone to ring when they won. He got to the point that it made him so nervous to watch that he'd record every game and watch once he found out the score. He was especially proud of the way the program developed and recruited class individuals.

I just wanted you and the athletic department to be aware of Dad's death. And also how important your athletic programs, but especially your basketball program, were to him and how much he enjoyed following the teams. He had a terminal illness, and when he would talk about how he wouldn't be around much longer, one of his sadnesses was that he could no longer follow the players through their college and then pro careers. He always rooted for the players no matter how advanced in their careers they were.

Once we knew he had little time left, we thought he would enjoy it most if we turned on an old Carolina victory over Duke video and kept replaying it. We know today that there's a new angel in blue.

Jill (Jordan) Dailer

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