Ryan Jordan and his sister, Katherine Jordan, along with Mom, Richelle Jarrett Jordan, purchased what may seem like an odd Christmas tree to honor their late father and husband, Scott Jordan.

Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 2002, he died in May, 2004, only 36 years old.

Ryan is in sixth grade at Whitewater Middle School, and Katherine is in fourth grade at Sarah Harp Minter School.

Katherine's school held a decorated Christmas tree sale, to earn money for its various projects.

The family looked at all the trees to purchase one, and noticed one that initially seemed rather forlorn and certainly on the plain side. It had artist supplies hanging from its branches. Upon further examination, Richelle realized it was a live magnolia tree. Her husband, who had managed computer programmers, was also artistic. The longer she looked at the tree,the more attractive it became.

There was a letter on the tree, announcing that there were 19 students and one GREAT teacher who brought this tree "to life." The letter further said that the tree looked forward to being planted at the Joseph Sams School and in the Christmas tradition it would be spread hope, love, joy, peace, to new friends at the school.

The family decided it would be appropriate to buy this particular tree, to follow the instructions in the letter attached to it, and plant it at the Sams school in honor of Scott.

Scott and Richelle attended Fayette County schools, graduating from Fayette County High School in 1986.

Scott was instrumental in the designing of Heritage Park in 1996, including the fountain and surrounding brick circles.

"Ryan, Katherine and I consider it a blessing that we were able to do this. We are thankful that we can now reach out to help others, just as so many reached out in the past to help us. We are so glad that the magnolia tree will be planted in Scott's honor, further helping his memory to lovingly live on," said Richelle.

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