Bernard F Cordray, 92, passed away peacefully August 6, 2012 in Cameron, MO surrounded by his family.
After living in Richmond, MO for 60 years, Bernard resided at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron for the last six months.
Bernard was born January 20, 1920, in New Boston, MO to Ivan and Lora (Finney) Cordray.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brothers, Clifford Cordray, Keith Cordray, Rex Cordray and Don Cordray.
Bernard is survived by his wife, Marjorie Cordray, who resides at Kendallwood Hills Estates in Kansas City North.
Bernard and Marjorie were united in marriage on June 14, 1945, in Sheffield England, one month after World War II ended. They have been married 67 years.
Additional survivors include one daughter, Vickie Cordray Green (Jim) of Kansas City, MO; one son, Dennis Cordray (Marcie) of Liberty, MO; one sister, Geraldine Cordray Bertelsen of Greeley, CO; four grandchildren, Kristin Ainsworth Rose, Ryan Ainsworth, Amy Cordray, and Lindsay Cordray Catron (Josh); four step-grandchildren, Angela Green Mullikin, Melanie Green Allwood, Lance Green, and Justin Green; three great-grandchildren, Claire Rose, Carter Ainsworth, and Adelyn Catron; twelve step great-grandchildren; and three step great-great grandchildren. Bernard is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Blanche Cordray Ford, Veronica Waddingham, Rita Young, and many loving nieces and nephews in the United States and England.
Bernard graduated from Brookfield, MO High School and completed his studies at Chillicothe Business College in 1940.
In January 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and was stationed in England for the duration of WWII.
After returning to the United States in 1945, he worked for his cousin who owned a Firestone dealership in Brookfield, MO.
In 1953, Bernard and Marjorie opened their own Firestone dealership and moved to Richmond, MO with their children, Vickie and Dennis. In 1967, he opened a second Firestone dealership in Higginsville, MO and in 1971, he opened another in his hometown of Brookfield, MO. He also served on the Firestone National Dealer Council for many years. After 35 successful years, Bernard retired and sold his businesses in 1988.
Bernard was very active in civic causes in Richmond.
He was a member and served as past president of the Richmond Rotary Club. He was honored to receive Rotary's distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Award.
He also served on the Richmond RXVI school board for seven years, several of which he served as president.
Bernard was a past president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Masonic Lodge #57, and a member of the Richmond Shrine Club.
He was a member and served many years on the First Christian Church board and was an Elder Emeritus of the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond.
Bernard was always a loving inspiration to his family and to all who knew him. We will miss his wonderful smile and laughter and the joy he gave us every single day.
Thurman Funeral Home
After living in Richmond, MO for 60 years, Bernard resided at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron for the last six months.
Bernard was born January 20, 1920, in New Boston, MO to Ivan and Lora (Finney) Cordray.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brothers, Clifford Cordray, Keith Cordray, Rex Cordray and Don Cordray.
Bernard is survived by his wife, Marjorie Cordray, who resides at Kendallwood Hills Estates in Kansas City North.
Bernard and Marjorie were united in marriage on June 14, 1945, in Sheffield England, one month after World War II ended. They have been married 67 years.
Additional survivors include one daughter, Vickie Cordray Green (Jim) of Kansas City, MO; one son, Dennis Cordray (Marcie) of Liberty, MO; one sister, Geraldine Cordray Bertelsen of Greeley, CO; four grandchildren, Kristin Ainsworth Rose, Ryan Ainsworth, Amy Cordray, and Lindsay Cordray Catron (Josh); four step-grandchildren, Angela Green Mullikin, Melanie Green Allwood, Lance Green, and Justin Green; three great-grandchildren, Claire Rose, Carter Ainsworth, and Adelyn Catron; twelve step great-grandchildren; and three step great-great grandchildren. Bernard is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Blanche Cordray Ford, Veronica Waddingham, Rita Young, and many loving nieces and nephews in the United States and England.
Bernard graduated from Brookfield, MO High School and completed his studies at Chillicothe Business College in 1940.
In January 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and was stationed in England for the duration of WWII.
After returning to the United States in 1945, he worked for his cousin who owned a Firestone dealership in Brookfield, MO.
In 1953, Bernard and Marjorie opened their own Firestone dealership and moved to Richmond, MO with their children, Vickie and Dennis. In 1967, he opened a second Firestone dealership in Higginsville, MO and in 1971, he opened another in his hometown of Brookfield, MO. He also served on the Firestone National Dealer Council for many years. After 35 successful years, Bernard retired and sold his businesses in 1988.
Bernard was very active in civic causes in Richmond.
He was a member and served as past president of the Richmond Rotary Club. He was honored to receive Rotary's distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Award.
He also served on the Richmond RXVI school board for seven years, several of which he served as president.
Bernard was a past president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Masonic Lodge #57, and a member of the Richmond Shrine Club.
He was a member and served many years on the First Christian Church board and was an Elder Emeritus of the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond.
Bernard was always a loving inspiration to his family and to all who knew him. We will miss his wonderful smile and laughter and the joy he gave us every single day.
Thurman Funeral Home
Bernard F Cordray, 92, passed away peacefully August 6, 2012 in Cameron, MO surrounded by his family.
After living in Richmond, MO for 60 years, Bernard resided at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron for the last six months.
Bernard was born January 20, 1920, in New Boston, MO to Ivan and Lora (Finney) Cordray.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brothers, Clifford Cordray, Keith Cordray, Rex Cordray and Don Cordray.
Bernard is survived by his wife, Marjorie Cordray, who resides at Kendallwood Hills Estates in Kansas City North.
Bernard and Marjorie were united in marriage on June 14, 1945, in Sheffield England, one month after World War II ended. They have been married 67 years.
Additional survivors include one daughter, Vickie Cordray Green (Jim) of Kansas City, MO; one son, Dennis Cordray (Marcie) of Liberty, MO; one sister, Geraldine Cordray Bertelsen of Greeley, CO; four grandchildren, Kristin Ainsworth Rose, Ryan Ainsworth, Amy Cordray, and Lindsay Cordray Catron (Josh); four step-grandchildren, Angela Green Mullikin, Melanie Green Allwood, Lance Green, and Justin Green; three great-grandchildren, Claire Rose, Carter Ainsworth, and Adelyn Catron; twelve step great-grandchildren; and three step great-great grandchildren. Bernard is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Blanche Cordray Ford, Veronica Waddingham, Rita Young, and many loving nieces and nephews in the United States and England.
Bernard graduated from Brookfield, MO High School and completed his studies at Chillicothe Business College in 1940.
In January 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and was stationed in England for the duration of WWII.
After returning to the United States in 1945, he worked for his cousin who owned a Firestone dealership in Brookfield, MO.
In 1953, Bernard and Marjorie opened their own Firestone dealership and moved to Richmond, MO with their children, Vickie and Dennis. In 1967, he opened a second Firestone dealership in Higginsville, MO and in 1971, he opened another in his hometown of Brookfield, MO. He also served on the Firestone National Dealer Council for many years. After 35 successful years, Bernard retired and sold his businesses in 1988.
Bernard was very active in civic causes in Richmond.
He was a member and served as past president of the Richmond Rotary Club. He was honored to receive Rotary's distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Award.
He also served on the Richmond RXVI school board for seven years, several of which he served as president.
Bernard was a past president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Masonic Lodge #57, and a member of the Richmond Shrine Club.
He was a member and served many years on the First Christian Church board and was an Elder Emeritus of the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond.
Bernard was always a loving inspiration to his family and to all who knew him. We will miss his wonderful smile and laughter and the joy he gave us every single day.
Thurman Funeral Home
After living in Richmond, MO for 60 years, Bernard resided at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron for the last six months.
Bernard was born January 20, 1920, in New Boston, MO to Ivan and Lora (Finney) Cordray.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brothers, Clifford Cordray, Keith Cordray, Rex Cordray and Don Cordray.
Bernard is survived by his wife, Marjorie Cordray, who resides at Kendallwood Hills Estates in Kansas City North.
Bernard and Marjorie were united in marriage on June 14, 1945, in Sheffield England, one month after World War II ended. They have been married 67 years.
Additional survivors include one daughter, Vickie Cordray Green (Jim) of Kansas City, MO; one son, Dennis Cordray (Marcie) of Liberty, MO; one sister, Geraldine Cordray Bertelsen of Greeley, CO; four grandchildren, Kristin Ainsworth Rose, Ryan Ainsworth, Amy Cordray, and Lindsay Cordray Catron (Josh); four step-grandchildren, Angela Green Mullikin, Melanie Green Allwood, Lance Green, and Justin Green; three great-grandchildren, Claire Rose, Carter Ainsworth, and Adelyn Catron; twelve step great-grandchildren; and three step great-great grandchildren. Bernard is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Blanche Cordray Ford, Veronica Waddingham, Rita Young, and many loving nieces and nephews in the United States and England.
Bernard graduated from Brookfield, MO High School and completed his studies at Chillicothe Business College in 1940.
In January 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and was stationed in England for the duration of WWII.
After returning to the United States in 1945, he worked for his cousin who owned a Firestone dealership in Brookfield, MO.
In 1953, Bernard and Marjorie opened their own Firestone dealership and moved to Richmond, MO with their children, Vickie and Dennis. In 1967, he opened a second Firestone dealership in Higginsville, MO and in 1971, he opened another in his hometown of Brookfield, MO. He also served on the Firestone National Dealer Council for many years. After 35 successful years, Bernard retired and sold his businesses in 1988.
Bernard was very active in civic causes in Richmond.
He was a member and served as past president of the Richmond Rotary Club. He was honored to receive Rotary's distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Award.
He also served on the Richmond RXVI school board for seven years, several of which he served as president.
Bernard was a past president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Masonic Lodge #57, and a member of the Richmond Shrine Club.
He was a member and served many years on the First Christian Church board and was an Elder Emeritus of the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond.
Bernard was always a loving inspiration to his family and to all who knew him. We will miss his wonderful smile and laughter and the joy he gave us every single day.
Thurman Funeral Home
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