Ruben Jordan, a coach at Clear Creek High School for 34 years, had been missing since Saturday morning. Family and friends said he was last seen helping rescue people from high water.
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"He put people in a boat and the current just swept him away and he succumbed to the storm," explained Jordan's niece, Melissa Magana.
Jordan leaves behind two children. He grew up in Tyler as a high school football star, a teammate of former Oiler Earl Campbell.
He also owned all three locations of Friendswood Driving School.
"It is difficult, but there is some solace knowing he died doing what he loved to do which is helping other people and putting other people before himself," Magana said.
The district offered its condolences on Twitter.
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"Our hearts are heavy with the news of Coach Jordan. Please keep him, his family and the Creek Wildcats in your thoughts during this tragedy," Clear Creek ISD's tweet said.
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