This story was updated to correct the spelling of Leslie Allen Jordan’s middle name.
As expected, it was an evening of surprises Sunday night at Memorial Auditorium, where about 1,700 people gathered for “Love. Light. Leslie. A Sunday Hymn Singin’ to Celebrate Leslie Jordan.”
The Chattanooga-born-and-raised actor, writer, singer, author died Oct. 24 in Los Angeles, and friends and family gathered to laugh, cry and remember a man who brought love, light and laughter to so many.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga comedian Leslie Jordan dies in LA crash)
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly opened the evening via a video message, telling the audience he first met Jordan in the early ’80s when Jordan was a waiter at Vine Street Market and Kelly got his first job as a dishwasher there at the age of 15. He added that Jordan was always friendly and always helpful and even plucked him to be a drummer in the band he put together as part of his series of shows designed to help him raise money to move to Los Angeles.