Three months ago retired truck driver, devoted greyhound trainer and breeder David “Nugget” Jordan was diagnosed with mesothelioma - an aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen.

The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos and is the most serious of all asbestos- related diseases.

The father of four was only halfway through his radiation treatment at Orange hospital when he passed away early Friday morning at the Cowra District Hospital. He was 66 years old.

He sadly misses some milestone moments in the months ahead.

“It was going to be Nugget’s 67th birthday on November 20 and our 13th wedding anniversary on November 25,” David’s wife Deborah Jordan said. 

“I am disappointed his daughter Charlotte - daddy’s little girl - who completed her final HSC exam on Wednesday, will now have her father absent from her Year 12 formal of Young High School and her 18th birthday on February 7.”

David was exposed to the asbestos fibres while transporting, loading and unloading pipes and fibre sheeting into Canberra and Melbourne 40 years ago

“The statistics say one in 10 people exposed to this material will contract this disease,” Deborah said.

David first noticed signs of abnormality when he was having chest pains, difficulty breathing and coughing up a lot of mucus.

He visited Dr Driver in Cowra who sent him for an x-ray. The next day he was told to have an emergency cat scan which confirmed a tumor in his lung.

David was fast-tracked for emergency radiation therapy.

“We were told worst case scenario he had three months, best case 12 months to live,” Deborah said.

“Nugget’s wishes were honoured and he was transferred to Cowra Hospital on Thursday morning to be cared for by his very supportive and caring doctors Dr Date and Dr Bullock at the hospital.”

The family approached The Young Witness on Monday wanting to extend their thanks to the town for their incredible support and raise awareness of this “hideous disease”.

“We would like to thank all who have supported the family and raise awareness,” his wife Deborah Jordan said.

Members of the St Mary’s school community came to the family’s aid during David’s treatment.

Melissa McColl from Young and owner of Gusollios - whose children have been close friends with David and Deborah’s 11-year-old son John, travelling together on the school bus home for the past six years -  gave flowers, food, love and support, looking after John in their time of need.

St Mary’s assistant principal Dan O’Brien took sandwiches and food, supplied by the school’s canteen, to Bendick Murrell and visited the family for hours.

He’s also offered to iron David’s clothes that he will be laid to rest in and is helping John and Gus McColl write and practice a speech for the funeral.

Pamela Grant from the Young Greyhound Racing Club - of which David was a member - is assisting with organising the wake at Narrabundah Greyhound track in Canberra.

Cancer Council also provided accommodation during treatment.

The family would like to extend their thanks to local man and greyhound racing friend George McCorkindale for his continued support and travelling to Cowra Hospital to visit David on Thursday. Also Bruce Peck for taking over the responsibility of training his much loved greyhounds Gusollio and Come on Smiley. 

“And his girlfriends as he would call them at the Mercy Care Centre in Young, both the palliative care and domiciliary nurses, especially Melissa, Marlene and Julie,” Deborah said. 

The family also thanked Young KFC for giving his daughter Charlotte help and support and Cowra Shire Council for their understanding and support of his son Jamie.

They thanked family members Lauren Insull and her parents, Helen Hughes and Julie Grace and mother and father-in-law for their love, time and support.

The funeral will be held at the crematorium at Mitchell, ACT at 3pm.