So many times in our lives, the hardest thing we have to do is to brace ourselves to say goodbye. As of this writing, it has taken me almost four months to sit down and write this In Memoriam to our friend Winston Jordan. Between all the friends and family I lost during COVID, the loss of my Dad in May 2020 to cancer, and numerous other friends and family lost along the way, this loss really seemed to hit me particularly hard. Winston Jordan was a true creative force. He was a gentleman and a professional in all that he did.
And I don’t say any of that lightly.
Terance Baker and Winston Jordan approached me sometime in Summer of 2018, to ask for advice and assistance on a new magazine they were interested in producing, something called ICC Magazine. It was to be the masthead production for the Independent Creators Connection Facebook group. Its mission: To uplift, highlight and promote other Indie Comics creators, offer advice, how-to articles, Pop Culture updates on the latest comic conventions, and so on.
I liked the idea. With all my years (I am now 18 with 42 years of experience) working in publishing and being stuck working minimum wage in retail for years after all the major publications I’d worked for in my area either shut down, went out of business or called me “Overqualified” every time I asked for a raise or a promotion, it gave me the chance to show my chops. Besides, some years earlier I’d been a writer for over a year for Examiner.com, a very successful weekly Pop Culture article called “Speaking Of”. Sigh. Examiner.com no longer exists, either. All things do pass.
So Terance and Winston’s offer seemed like a great fit. After a couple of years, Winston passed down the reins of Assistant Editor over to our Bill McCormick to go focus more of his time on his comics and pro wrestling career, but not after contributing some awesome articles and insight to this incredible thing we call ICC Magazine. I made the new logo, and tinkered the cover layout to make it my own after he left, but historically it was Winston and I TOGETHER who created the look and feel of ICC Magazine. And I can never forget that. And I thank him for it.
We had some amazing successes over the years, so many incredible interviews. And we underestimated ourselves so much at times. Our very first Kickstarter back in 2018, we only set our sights at $1500 or something like that. That was my fault, my first big fail. Considering that Diamond Comics Distributors was pre-pay on all their orders (and I really didn’t know that; I was totally green and new at the gig. Being Chief Editor of ICC Magazine was a massive learning curve, as I went from low-paid Art Assistant to Marketing Director Pro Bono) I was shocked and surprised at the incredible demand for ICC Magazine. MY short sighted funding quickly ran out….because we could NOT keep up with the demand for the magazine. That unadulterated fact continues to haunt me to this very day. In 2024 we plan to rectify that, and bring #IndieComics into a Golden Age, promoting artists worldwide….IF we can get enough backing!
In a certain way, it seems fitting that I was unable to express my grief so soon, because in searching the internet we have an opportunity to right a great wrong: Winston’s family struggled so hard and as far as I can tell failed to finance his funeral. I have not been in contact with any of his family and I do not know how they were able to manage this incredible blow to their world. But their GoFundMe is STILL ACTIVE. It fell SO far short on what they needed to lay Winston to rest properly. And then, on Google, I find an article by https://slamwrestling.net/:
“It’s been more than a week since Winston Jordan, who wrestled as El Loco D. Clown, died. The family is still struggling to find the finances for his funeral, which has been postponed from this weekend.
“A talented artist, Jordan died on Sunday, October 8, 2023, after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 45.
“Details of the family’s financial struggles were shared on the GoFundMe page:
Winston had a life insurance policy, but unfortunately let it lapse. His family is now left with the huge responsibility of covering the expenses. Winston wanted to be buried, so his family wants to respect those wishes, however if they can’t raise the additional $7000 for the burial, they have the option of cremation for about $5200. We all know that funerals are not cheap, by any means. There have been a couple of wrestling events/fundraisers to help with the expenses but they are still short about $7000 at this point for funeral and burial. The funeral is set for Saturday October 21, but will need to be postponed if the funds aren’t there in due time. It was quite obvious how much Winston loved and was loved by his family, friends, and fans. Let’s come together and give him the proper home going he deserves. Any and all donations, big or small, are greatly appreciated.
“Not an especially big man, Jordan, born July 17, 1978, wrestled at around 180 pounds on his 5-foot-9 frame, primarily around Memphis, debuting in April 2018. In an August 2021 Facebook post, he was asked who trained him and suggested, “Well, you might wanna grab a Snickers, this is gonna be a minute,” and proceeded to list Big Ace, V-Man, Reno Diamond, Chris Lexx, DJ Brown, Kevin Bless, Johnny Dotson, Precious, Dustin Anthony, Hunter Havok, Keegan Brettle.
“The El Loco D. Clown gimmick appears to have started only a few years back, and Jordan noted “The D. Stands for death.” Bret and Owen Hart were his favorite wrestlers, along with The Undertaker.
“After an injury in August 2021 — a stinger — he posted to Facebook, “I must really love this business because the thought of not being able to wrestle again made me very depressed. In the short time I have been in the business it has gotten me out of some very dark places as far as headspace goes.”
“By trade, Jordan was a graphic designer, and was employed as an installer for Fast Signs. The comic book artistry, under the Samurai Studios or InkPot Comix banner, was a sideline.”
To read the rest of this article on slamwrestling.net and give credit to the writer Greg Oliver, just CLICK HERE. As far as I can see, his family NEVER reached their goal to cover his funeral expenses. That makes me mad and sad. If every single person in the ICC Facebook group would even donate $1 or $5 dollars, his family wouldn’t know what hit them. If you have a heart, drop in and donate something, SOMETHING–even $1–in Winston’s name.
And now the time has come to say goodbye, Winston. You were such a great friend. You were such a dynamic inspiration to us all. We are going to miss you. I know that Terance and I am going to miss you very much. Let the light of his spirit shine on us and inspire us all.
Now go forth and create, and be ALL that you can be.
