Well-known Santa Fe tour operator Alan Jordan has died following a prolonged battle with an autoimmune disease — NMO or Devic's disease — and its side effects.

Jordan was 74, and he died June 22.

"His family and friends sustained shock as well as sadness," said Karla Axten, Jordan's long-time companion. "Alan was a unique person, leaving an empty place in many of our hearts."

"He was such a great loss, not only to the tourist industry of Santa Fe but as a friend," said Sharon Maloof, executive director of the state Film Museum. "Right before he went into the hospital, he conducted a 2,000-mile, state-of-New Mexico tour for me. He was fabulous. He was a brilliant person and very people-oriented."

Before he bought Santa Fe Walks, Jordan was the executive director of both the Northern New Mexico Cancer Association and Smoke Free Santa Fe.

In the late 1980s, Jordan acquired Santa Fe Walks from Waite Thompson. He renamed the business Aboot About Santa Fe and then expanded into destination and event management as Access Santa Fe.

"It was a very successful company with many returning clients," Axten said. "He also served two terms as president of the guides association."

Alan Jordan was born in Santa Monica, Calif., and grew up in Pasadena. He attended the University of California at Berkeley and graduated from Northwestern University.

He spent four years in the active Naval Reserve, and after teaching English for a short time at San Diego State University, he joined the banking and finance world. He later moved to Santa Fe.

Jordan is survived by a son, a daughter and other relatives.

A celebration of Jordan's life will be held in the garden at the Inn at Loretto, July 16 at 1 p.m. RSVP required at info@accesssantafe.com or by calling 412-0473.

Donations are welcome to your favorite charity or the American Lung Association National Headquarters, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800. Washington, DC 20004.

Contact Bob Quick at 986-3011 or bobquick@sfnewmexican.com">bobquick@sfnewmexican.com.