Oren Ray Cordrey

Oren Cordrey was born Friday, January 9, 1942 in Terre Haute, Indiana the first son of five children to Oren Ray Cordrey Sr. and Marie Taylor Cordrey.

Oren graduated from Albuquerque High in 1959 and promptly joined the United States Navy and served his country as a Radioman (1959-63).  Upon leaving the service, he met and married his soulmate, Theresine (Terri) Rudolph on May 8, 1965.  Thereafter, they started a family with the birth of their sons, Greg (1966) and Todd (1967).  Oren attended UNM on the GI bill and successfully completed a business degree that led to a long and successful career in accounting.  His joy and meaning in life was his role as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.  His free time was spent camping with family and friends, coaching little league, watching his sons play sports, running with his four-legged friends (Tango and Missy), attending church, and enjoying family activities.

Oren had an adventurous spirit.  At 17 he joined the Navy and traveled the world; at 21 (after leaving the Navy) he returned to Albuquerque where he lived with his good friends, Lucky Sells and John Bauer; at 23 he married Terri and lived for six months in Santa Monica; at 38 he learned to snow ski with his sons; at 43 he and Terri purchased a flower shop; at 44 he and Terri moved into their mountain home in Tijeras; at 59 Oren ran his first marathon with his two sons (running his 2nd a year later); at 60 he became an usher at Saint Bernadette Catholic church; at 61 he obtained his open water scuba certificate; at 65 he worked as a shuttle driver at the Sandia Peak tram; and at 77 with his family’s love and support he set out for heaven.

Oren is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Terri; son, Greg; daughter-in-law, Stephanie; granddaughter, Skyler; son, Todd; daughter-in-law, Margo; granddaughter, Alexi; great-grandson, Wesley Ray; grandson, Zane; grandson, Lincoln; siblings, Ken Cordrey and wife, Dorothea (deceased), Mary Dixon and husband, John, and Sharon Plager; brothers-in-law, Dan Rudolph and wife, Rosina, Richard Rudolph and wife, Viola, John Rudolph and wife, Susan; and many beloved nephews and nieces; as well as his godchildren, Chrissie Chase, Aaron Rudolph, Ken Lucero, David Sells, and Fred Czaja.

He was predeceased by his father, Oren Ray Cordrey Sr.; mother, Marie Taylor Cordrey; brother, Sterling Ray Cordrey; niece, Sherri Plager; mother-in-law, Alice Rudolph; and father-in-law, Louie Rudolph.

A Rosary will be recited Saturday, May 25, 2019, 8:00 a.m. at The Shrine of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 11401 Indian School Rd. NE, followed by Mass at 9:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to a reception, 11:30 a.m. at Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd NE.  Light refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 21400, Albuquerque, NM 87154.