Kenneth Leroy Cordell was born September 19, 1920, in the family farmhouse east of Watonga in Blaine County, Oklahoma. He passed away January 11, 2009, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His parents were Ottawa Allen Cordell and Ella Mae Albin Cordell. Kenneth graduated from Watonga High School in 1938 and attended Oklahoma A&M for two years. On June 28, 1941, he married Clara I. Driever, in Watonga. During World War II, he served his country as a Marine in the Pacific Theater, returning afterward to farm outside Fay, Oklahoma. In 1953, Kenneth joined the US Postal Service, working one year in Kansas City before being transferred to Oklahoma City where he worked as a letter carrier until retiring in 1976. His retirement years were spent repairing and rebuilding lawnmowers, tillers and anything else that would not run. Kenneth was a long standing member of University Place Christian Church and Crown Heights Christian Church. He leaves behind his wife of 67 1/2 years, Clara Cordell and three daughters, Karen Cordell of Bossier City, LA, Linda Leckman of Salt Lake City, UT, and Donna (Andrew) Sternberg of Eden Prairie, MN. In addition, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren will miss Kenneth's influence in their lives. Family will greet friends for visitation Thursday, January 15, from 4 pm-6 pm, at the funeral home. Services will be held Friday, January 16, at 10:30 am, at Crown Heights Christian Church, 4020 N. Western, with Rev. Parker Cross officiating. Burial will be at the I00F Cemetery in Watonga, Oklahoma, with graveside services at 3:00 pm, on Friday, January 16. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Crown Heights Christian Church in his memory.


Published in The Oklahoman on 1/15/2009