KATY MAGAZINE l SEPTEMBER 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark
Katy ISD's ninth high school has been named after the pioneering Jordan family that settled in the town nearly a century ago. Jordan High School will welcome students in the 2020-21 school year, and is currently under construction in the Cross Creek Ranch subdivision.
Original Farming Family
The Jordans were one of the first pioneering families to settle in the community where the new high school will open. Henry Elmer "Hank" Jordan and his wife, Olga moved from Kansas in 1913 with the goal to create a better future. They had a farming homestead just north of what is now the City of Katy.
5 Generations Gave to Katy ISD, Founded FFA
Over the past century, five generations of Jordan family members have contributed to Katy ISD and the community. Hank Jordan served as a school board trustee from 1932-1939, and was instrumental in obtaining the Katy Future Farmers of America (FFA) charter in 1932. He also built the first gym as well as started the first music program for students in 1935.
Hank was a farmer, rancher, and bank manager, but also established telecommunications for the rural residents and farmers by working with the Fort Bend Telephone Company in the early 1950s.
Built Bridges, Brought People Together
Chester Jordan, Hank's oldest son, grew the family's farming business southwest of the town near the site of the new high school and junior high. He and his wife, Bess supported the local FFA chapter, hosted barn dances. They also built bridges and roads that brought people together. Chester also served in Brookshire ISD as a trustee in 1946.
At 93, Jordan Still Works in the Community
In 1926, Chester's brother, Melvin, was born just across from the Agricultural Sciences Center. He is believed to be the oldest living male of an original farming family. He's also the last living original student of Katy High School.
Melvin has lived his entire life in the Katy Community and was also very active in FFA. His grandson, Kaleb Dautrich is a third generation Katy FFA student and went on to become vice president of the Texas FFA in 2015. At age 93 years old, Melvin still resides near the original homestead and continues to raise cattle.
19 Jordans Working in Katy ISD Today
Melvin's daughters went into education and taught special education and speech. They inspired several of his great grandchildren to go into education and serve the students of Katy ISD. Five were honored as teachers of the year in the last decade. As of the 2019-2020 school year, the district has 19 Jordan family members teaching in Katy.
Jordan High School Opens in 2020
Jordan High School will be located at 27500 Fulshear Bend Drive in Fulshear and is set to welcome students in the 2020-2021 school year.