Andrew Lloyd Jordan, 55, of Tipton, entered eternal rest on July 5, 2026 after a long battle with T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Andy was born in Iowa City on December 1, 1970, to Herbert and Linda Jordan. He did not speak a word until he was three years old, but once started, he never stopped. He was a true Generation X latch-key kid: Drinking from the hose, playing with matches, and generally running amok. He graduated from Iowa City High School in 1989, and in 1996, he ended years of nail-biting suspense for his parents and graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture, from Iowa State University.

Despite an arguably somewhat checkered youth, he grew up into a business owner and a contributing member of the community. He was a living example of the idea that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. After years of working at Iowa City Landscaping, he went on to found Sanders Creek Company, which was his passion as well as his vocation. Through his business, he helped to beautify and naturalize the communities of Iowa City and Coralville in ways we hope you enjoy every day.

The length of his journey toward a degree should not suggest that he was not smart (and if there was any lingering doubt, Andy was happy to straighten you out). He was inherently curious and capable of figuring almost anything out, with a deep and instinctive understanding of the workings of the physical world, the chemistry around us, and human engines and tools. There was almost nothing he could not repair, build, or grow. If there was ever a zombie apocalypse, Andy was going to be the person to get with if you wanted to survive.

In May of 2006, Andy married Deb Cheney, the love of his life, the mother of his children, and the yin to his yang. This was the best decision he ever made, as Deb exemplifies everything about the expression “better half.” And for those of us who knew him in his youth, Andy’s wisdom and strengths as a parent surprised us all. He and Deb raised a fiercely independent and resourceful daughter, Finn, and an astute and hilarious son, Neil. Andy loved and took pride in both of his children with the intensity typical of him.

Andy also loved music, both listening to it and creating it. A rare privileged few may remember his time on the stage as Dancing Andy, and throughout his life he enjoyed nothing more than to sit outside with his guitar and play music under the stars – songs you would recognize, and songs he created. He had enviable whistling skills. And he always claimed that in his youth he exhibited great talent as a tuba player, but this statement has not been independently verified.

He was not only a musician but an accomplished raconteur, and could tell an engaging and hilarious (if not strictly factual) story like no one else. He would have you sitting on the edge of your seat, waiting to find out what happened, even if -- in fact, especially if -- you had been there for the events being recounted.

He had the world’s shortest temper, but also the world’s biggest heart, and was a believer in second, third, and fourth chances. He was that rare man who was able to make new friends well into adulthood, but he still always stayed close to the buddies he made when he was eight or nine.

His favorite thing of all was spending time in the Ontario wilderness on Jackfish Lake, in the cabin built by his father. It was a haven that was always on his mind and in his heart. The Lake will be quieter and a little less fun without him.

Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Linda Jordan, who were so proud of the man Andy became, and any number of half-feral dogs that he loved like children.

He is survived by his wife, Deb of Tipton; his children, Finn (Zach) Bendixen of Mechanicsville and Neil Jordan of Tipton; his grandchildren, Everleigh Lynn and Baker Andrew Bendixen; and his older sister Jennifer Jordan (Michael Molitor) of Grand Rapids, MI, who now has no plan at all for surviving the zombie apocalypse, his mother and father-in-law, Mary and Fred Cheney of Iowa City, and his brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Lisa Cheney of Ballston Spa, NY. He also leaves behind his maternal aunt, Mary Ruth Carpenter, several nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Andy did not want a funeral, but he was all about a good party that will be planned at a later date.