Mark Edward Jordan

Mark Edward Jordan, a.k.a Sam Vivian, passed away at the Southwest Montana Veterans’ home in Butte on September 4th, 2026. Mark was born in Butte on October 31, 1954 to Doc and Cookie Jordan. Mark was a unique man who lived life on his own terms. He had an artistic talent and a knack for meeting people, talking to them for a short time, then drawing caricature pictures of them and writing poems to go along with the drawings. Family, friends, and strangers from all around the country have pictures that he drew on sketch pads, note pads, coasters, and napkins. He used whatever was available to show his talent bringing delight to the recipients when they saw what he had created for them. Mark graduated from Butte High School in 1972 and enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17. He was stationed at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Butte and worked as a dispatcher for the Butte police department. In his younger years, Mark was a pretty fair boxer and fought for the Silver Bow Boxing Club, the club his Dad coached for many years. He represented Butte twice at Regional Golden Gloves tournaments in Las Vegas, Nevada. After leaving Butte, Mark lived in various places including Boise, Idaho where his son Doc was born. While in Boise he worked as a garbage man, was a writer for the Rocky Mountain Oil Field Journal, and owned a small home repair and remodeling business. He and Doc later moved to Depoe Bay, Oregon where he was a jack of all trades for his uncle Leo and aunt Joanne at their Arch Rock Motel. Mark referred to himself as the ugliest maid on the Oregon Coast. Also while living in Depoe Bay, he owned and operated a carpet cleaning business and was later employed by the Depoe Bay wastewater treatment and infrastructure maintenance department. In his spare time, he enjoyed sitting in front of Gracie’s Sea Hag Restaurant and drawing caricatures for passing tourists. Mark and Doc lived in Lincoln City, Oregon before finally moving back to Butte in the late 90’s. He worked at the Jet Car Wash until poor health forced his retirement. Mark was preceded in death by his dad Doc, grandparents Stell and Doris Jordan and Mel and Vera Vivian, and by Mary Lou, his longtime girlfriend and the love of his life. Mark was also preceded in death many uncles, aunts and cousins. Mark is survived and will be missed by his mom Cookie, son Doc (Sarah), brothers Rick (Diane) and Paul (Jill), and sister Veralee (Leonard). Also surviving are Morgan and Taylor Vivian, his pride and joy granddaughters, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in the Jordan, Vivian, and Brunell families. Other survivors include Doc’s mom Debbie and Doc’s sister Lisa. He leaves behind many friends (and enemies) that he met along the way during his adventurous journey through life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Doc Jordan Memorial Scholarship” at the Montana Tech Foundation located at 1300 W. Park St., Butte, MT 59701 or online at https://foundation.mtech.edu/give/index.html. Services will be held at Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home on Friday, September 25th, at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow at The Depot, 818 S. Arizona, in the Bourbon Bar immediately after the service.

Mark Edward Jordan

October 31, 1954 - September 4, 2026