Dr. James Joseph Jordan, MD

James Joseph Jordan was born in Chicago to Irish immigrant and plasterer Michael and first-generation Irish Chicagoan Mary Jordan on August 13, 1940; he died on June 30 at age 84. He had three siblings, Bill, Michelle, and Mary Lou, who contracted polio at age five. Some of Jim's earliest memories were of his beautiful sister giving him rides on the steps of her wheelchair. Jim graduated from Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 1959 but decided against becoming a priest. He instead attended Loyola University, where he met his wife, Mary Ellen, at a Halloween mixer. They married in 1964 and had three daughters in quick succession: Beth, Julia, and Jennifer. Jim studied to be a doctor at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, graduating in 1966 while Mary Ellen pursued graduate work in English literature. He became interested in psychiatry during an internship at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and completed his Mayo Clinic psychiatry residency in 1972. Jim and Mary Ellen then moved with their three young girls to London so he could train in community mental health at the Tavistock Clinic. In 1973, the family moved back to Minnesota. Jim worked as a part-time psychiatrist at the Hamm Clinic, a sliding-fee, mixed-discipline, outpatient mental health clinic in St. Paul. He also had a private practice and began a close and happy association with St. Mary's Hospital, where he served as Director of the Adolescent Chemical Dependency Unit from 1977-85. In 1976, Jim, Mary Ellen, and the girls welcomed twin boys, James and Joseph. Jim was thrilled with his five children-his "jewels," he would always say. A defining chapter in Jim's career began when he was chosen Director of Hamm Clinic in 1985. For the next 25 years, he developed Hamm's community outreach and its post-graduate training programs for psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. As demand for services grew, Jim spent more time raising money. He believed in the mission to deliver affordable mental health care to all. Though he didn't become a priest, he spent his life hearing confessions and counseling. He had kind, blue eyes. When he listened to someone-patient, family member, or friend-his eyes took them in and held them. His family was his happiness. He caught his children when they first jumped from a diving board, and ran next to the bike, letting go of the seat as they first pedaled away. The best family vacations were at YMCA's Camp du Nord, where the family canoed, hiked, and cross-country skied. Each child remembers Jim's dramatic recitation of "Jabberwocky" before kissing and tucking them into bed. "And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!" He chortled in his joy. Jim loved to dance with his wife. He never forgot birthdays and would disappear late in the afternoon and return with a special gift. Jim is predeceased by his brother, Bill, and his sister Mary Lou. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; his daughters, Beth (David), Julia, and Jennifer (Jason); his twin sons, James and Joseph (Melanie); his grandchildren, Reid (Julia) and Madeline, Rohan and Kitty, Sullivan and Stellan, and little Rose; his sister Michelle, who helped care for him in the final months and with whom he shared a special bond. All will miss him terribly but treasure his legacy: a commitment to family, education, the good of all, and faith in the living God. A special thank you to the Health Partners Hospice team and Teresia, Rose, and Carren of Beyana Homecare for the comfort they gave to Jim. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, at the Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th Street, Minneapolis. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Washburn-McReavy Nokomis Park Chapel, 1838 E. Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis. Visitation will resume one hour prior to Mass at the Basilica on Friday. Reception at the Town and Country Club, 300 N. Mississippi River Boulevard, St. Paul, will follow the Friday service. To honor Jim, consider a gift to the "Hamm Clinic for the Dr. James J. Jordan Endowment for Psychiatry" (mail to Hamm Clinic, Attn: Development, 10 River Road Plaza, St. Paul 55107) or the St. Vincent de Paul Society Twin Cities (https://www.svdpmpls.org/supportsvdp.html).

Tributes

Dr. James Joseph Jordan, MD

August 13, 1940 - June 30, 2025

Tributes

Dr. James Joseph Jordan, MD

August 13, 1940 - June 30, 2025

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