Ronnie Lee Jourdan

Ronnie Lee Jourdan, 66, of Chickasaw, Alabama, died Wednesday, January 1, 2014, in Baldwyn, Mississippi. He was born February 28, 1947 in Pensacola, Florida to Parmer Lee and Christine Burcham Jourdan. He attended Pensacola High School where he excelled as a high jumper on the Track and Field team which led to a full scholarship to the University of Florida in Gainesville. He was nicknamed “Spider Jourdan” for his long arms and legs. At the University Ronnie became known as the “Magic of the seven foot high Jumper”. Only magic could have taken him to the heights of the Southeastern Conference championship and the NCAA championship. His senior year also included an incredible nine meet streak of winning jumps at 7.0 or higher. That year also took him to Oslo, Norway where he cleared 7.1 to win the World International Championship. He held the record for the most consistent seven foot or better high jumper in the world. Ronnie went with the United States Olympic Team to Munich, Germany in 1972. After that his highest jump was 7.4. After finishing his college career Ronnie jumped for a year with the International Track Association. He then made a career with Warrior Gulf in Mobile, Alabama where he retired after 30 years. Visitation is scheduled for 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 6, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 6, at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka, officiated by Rev. Robbie Crane. Interment will follow in New Lebanon Cemetery. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with arrangements. He is survived by his mother, Christine Burcham Jourdan of Tupelo, MS; his brother, Julian Craig Jourdan and wife Sandra of Tupelo, MS; his sister, Kristy Regina Weiss of Lakeport, CA; a niece, Kristin Marie Jourdan of Tupelo, MS; three nephews, Julian Lee Jourdan of Tupelo, MS, Andrew Jordan Weiss and Matthew Robert Weiss, both of Lakeport, CA; two great nieces, Brenna Marie Adams and Shylan Breeze Adams both of Tupelo, MS; two uncles, Lee Roy Burcham and wife Mely of Rienzi, MS and Hubert Jourdan of Iuka, MS; three aunts, Betty Sue Brown and husband Jackie of Meridian, MS, Gene Jourdan Spear of Clinton, LA and Nelda Jourdan McRae of Tishomingo, MS and a host of cousins around the country.