>> humorous. fun loving. jokester. full of a lot of understanding and wisdom. >> reporter: due to medical issues his parents feared they would never have children. jordan named for the river of fame. >> jordan was raised on a strong spiritual foundation and we had him in private christian school for a few years until fourth grade. then pulled him out and i home schooled him from fourth grade to eighth grade. >> reporter: he wasn't perfect. jordan's fwrads and attitude seemed to take a turn for the worse as an early teen some between live with dad in jacksonville. some tough love turned him around. he began talking about joining the military. becoming a marine. mom says friends naturally followed him. he liked that. >> he was always wanted to be the first. always wanted to be leader.