Obituary: Anson Barry Talbot Jordon (1954-55)

Barry Jordan died at Katikati in December 1965 after a prolonged illness, at the age of 33 years.

He was born in Morrinsville and educated at Katikati where he had an outstanding school record. He was senior prefect of the Katikati District High School in 1950 and captain of the First XV.

Barry joined the RFC scheme in 1951 and completed the VFM diploma at Lincoln in 1955. He earned the respect of both the staff and students for his sportsmanship and his application to all his work.

He joined the Department of Agriculture as an Advisory Officer in 1956, being stationed in Tauranga for three years and in Dargaville for a further one and a half years. He was widely regarded as a likely leader in farm advisory work.

In 1960 he was chosen as a delegate to the International Grassland Congress in England and, while there, studied the work being done at a number of Universities and Research Stations.

In 1961 he returned to his father’s property at Katikati and, under his management, there was a very substantial increase in production with the development of the farm and, at the same time, he acted as Farm Advisor to the Ohinemuri Farm Improvement Club. He purchased his own sheep property in 1964 where he again demonstrated his outstanding ability.

Barry Jordan set a wonderful example in the application of modern farming techniques. He had the remarkable ability to pass on his knowledge to others and his advisory work has been of great benefit to a large number of farmers.

He was highly regarded as a valuer and as an arbitrator. In his passing, Katikati has lost a valuable and highly respected member of the community and, in his short life, he had achieved great things and the very high esteem of his fellow men.

Barry leaves a widow and two children, David aged five and Gillian aged four years, who continue on the farm “Kinver”, No. 2 R.D., Katikati. - R. J. Wallace.