Jordan Ronald Mencher, also known as “Jordy” or “Duke”, of Montana City, Montana, died of natural causes in the arms of his wife of nearly forty years, Pamela, on December 3, 2023. He was 92 years old and retained his loving nature and playful attitude to the end. As he was heard to say while still a young man of 80, “This life will be the death of me yet.”
Jordan was born on April 18, 1931, in New York City to Emanuel and Bertha Mencher. After spending his first three years in the Bronx, his parents moved Jordan and his brother, Bruce, to Washington, D.C. After the iconic movie, “A Christmas Story” appeared in 1983, Jordan was often heard to say, “That was my life as a kid, I was Ralphie!” Jordan’s youngest daughter, Stephanie said that when she and her dad first attended the film’s debut, she remembers vividly the overwhelming joy they shared. Like Dad, it became one of her all-time favorite movies to view annually. Part of what she adores about it is the memory of Dad’s happiness and delight while they watched.
Jordan acquired his nickname, “Duke” while serving in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1963. He was deployed in Landstuhl, Germany, as a Medical Laboratory Specialist, Private First Class. His duties included the development of immunization vaccines, singing in the Armed Services Choir, playing baseball on the Armed Services team, and winning the European U.S. Armed Forces Ping Pong championship tournament.
After an honorable discharge from the Army in June 1963, Jordan returned to the United States to complete a Ph.D. in medical microbiology at Georgetown University. He married and had five children. While raising his family in Washington, D.C., Jordan was a research microbiologist at U.S.D.A. Dairy Meat Nutrition Laboratory developing enzymes used in preservation and taste of food, and he was a research scientist at N.A.S.A. developing the first “clean rooms” used in space exploration.
Jordan then moved to Denver to work for the Colorado Department of Health to establish a screening laboratory for the detection of genetic diseases in newborns serving populations in four Western states. After becoming single, Jordan met the love of his life, Pamela, and they married in 1984 in Denver. Jordan also enjoyed ushering at several Denver sports arenas. Due to his friendly demeanor, he became a favorite of fans sitting in his sections at these venues and earned the moniker, “Usherman”, along with outstanding service awards honoring his work.
Jordan retired from microbiology in 1986 to join Pamela in her professional careers in theatre and higher education. Together, they founded the Roving Stage Theatre Company. An accomplished poet, storyteller, musician and composer, Jordan created music and lyrics for Pamela’s plays and after formal training in every aspect of theatre arts, became an actor, producer, director and playwright. Jordan spent over twenty years serving as Colorado state representative, Vice President and then President of the Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Theatre Association, a regional theatre organization spanning five western states.
Upon Pamela’s retirement from higher education in 2015, they moved to Montana, Pamela’s home state, to settle in Montana City to fish, camp, write music, poetry, stories, and plays, and to be with family and friends. In 2016, Jordan became a charter member of a group that established the Montana Playwrights Network (MPN), a state-wide, non-profit organization for writers and storytellers. In 2019, he was vital in the creation of MPN’s home, the Helena Avenue Theatre (HAT). In the twilight of his life, Jordan continued to compose music, lyrics, poetry, and stories, and enjoyed lively conversations with his many friends and family, near and far.
Jordan is survived by his children, Vincent Mencher of St. Augustine, FL, Benjamin Mencher of Portland, OR, Joia Mencher-Spivey, Portland, OR, Rosanne Mencher, Denver, CO, and Stephanie Mencher, Portland, OR; grandchildren, Summer Lall, Julian Mencher, Trevor Reynolds, Rachel Reynolds, and Daisy Mencher; and great-grandchildren, Liliyah Lall, Palmer Jay Reynolds, and Millie Rose Reynolds. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on May 25, 2024, at the Helena Avenue Theatre, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jordan’s life. Condolences may be sent to 30 Stoney Brook Drive, Unit D, Clancy, MT, 59634. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Montana Playwrights Network, 1319 Helena Avenue, Helena, MT, 59601 or online at https://www.montanaplaywrights.org/donate.