John Milton Cordray
On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the age of 96, John Milton Cordray went peacefully to his glory in the arms of Jesus surrounded by his family. John was born in Dallas, Texas, on January 27, 1917, to Hurley and Jessie Mae Cordray. He was preceded in death by his precious wife of 60 years, Betty Boozer Cordray. John grew up in the Dallas area and graduated from Sunset High School. He served his country during World War II in the 1326th Army Air Field Base Unit Air Transport Command and was stationed in India. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the American Theatre Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. At the age of 18, John was hired by the Railway Express Agency to be the security guard for shipments being transported on the Southern Pacific Railroad. At the age of 50, John returned to school at the Raymond J. Horn School of Drafting and where he became an electrical draftsman. For the remaining 15 years of his career, he worked for many of the small and large engineering companies in Houston. John was an avid sportsman, golfer and bowler. Woodworking was a lifetime hobby of his. In his retirement, he planned and constructed a home on Lake Conroe where he loved entertaining his grandchildren. To his wife Betty, he was a loving caregiver. He proudly served the Fair Haven United Methodist Church family as an usher, greeting people at the door and making them feel welcome. John’s passing takes some warmth from the Texas sunshine and leaves emptiness in the hearts of many, but he will be especially missed by his sister Mrs. Sue Arvin of Indiana; four children – son Cloy Bryan Cordray of Houston, daughter Peggy Sue and husband Billy Tucker of Houston, daughter Francine and husband Marc Turicchi of Oklahoma, son John M. Cordray Jr. and wife Glenda of Spring,– his seven grandchildren – Kimberley Marie Cordray-Perez, Nancy Ann and husband Jack Stilley, John and wife Kim Tucker, Billy and wife Sarah Tucker, Tyson Turicchi, Amanda and husband Lloyd Hallmark, and Katherine Bittner Burns – his thirteen great-grandchildren – Dalton Stilley, Joshua Stilley, Brieanna and husband Chris Pratho, Erin and husband Joshua Mueller, Ethan Tucker, Luke Tucker, Abigail Tucker, Myklaya Hart, Mason Sandoval, Myranda Hallmark, Austin Burns, Chance Burns, and Amy Lockwood – his four great-great grandchildren – Maddison Pratho, Collin Pratho, Julie Mueller, and John Mueller. In addition, he leaves numerous nieces and nephews. All who knew him will grieve his passing, but his love for his family and friends will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Fair Haven United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Sunday, June 23, 2013, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home 1101 Antoine Dr, Houston, Texas. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, June 25, at 9:00 a.m. at Fair Haven United Methodist Church, 1330 Gessner, Houston, Texas. Interment with military honors will take place at 11:00AM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.Obituary
On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the age of 96, John Milton Cordray went peacefully to his glory in the arms of Jesus surrounded by his family. John was born in Dallas, Texas, on January 27, 1917, to Hurley and Jessie Mae Cordray. He was preceded in death by his precious wife of 60 years, Betty Boozer Cordray. John grew up in the Dallas area and graduated from Sunset High School. He served his country during World War II in the 1326th Army Air Field Base Unit Air Transport Command and was stationed in India. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the American Theatre Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. At the age of 18, John was hired by the Railway Express Agency to be the security guard for shipments being transported on the Southern Pacific Railroad. At the age of 50, John returned to school at the Raymond J. Horn School of Drafting and where he became an electrical draftsman. For the remaining 15 years of his career, he worked for many of the small and large engineering companies in Houston. John was an avid sportsman, golfer and bowler. Woodworking was a lifetime hobby of his. In his retirement, he planned and constructed a home on Lake Conroe where he loved entertaining his grandchildren. To his wife Betty, he was a loving caregiver. He proudly served the Fair Haven United Methodist Church family as an usher, greeting people at the door and making them feel welcome. John’s passing takes some warmth from the Texas sunshine and leaves emptiness in the hearts of many, but he will be especially missed by his sister Mrs. Sue Arvin of Indiana; four children – son Cloy Bryan Cordray of Houston, daughter Peggy Sue and husband Billy Tucker of Houston, daughter Francine and husband Marc Turicchi of Oklahoma, son John M. Cordray Jr. and wife Glenda of Spring,– his seven grandchildren – Kimberley Marie Cordray-Perez, Nancy Ann and husband Jack Stilley, John and wife Kim Tucker, Billy and wife Sarah Tucker, Tyson Turicchi, Amanda and husband Lloyd Hallmark, and Katherine Bittner Burns – his thirteen great-grandchildren – Dalton Stilley, Joshua Stilley, Brieanna and husband Chris Pratho, Erin and husband Joshua Mueller, Ethan Tucker, Luke Tucker, Abigail Tucker, Myklaya Hart, Mason Sandoval, Myranda Hallmark, Austin Burns, Chance Burns, and Amy Lockwood – his four great-great grandchildren – Maddison Pratho, Collin Pratho, Julie Mueller, and John Mueller. In addition, he leaves numerous nieces and nephews. All who knew him will grieve his passing, but his love for his family and friends will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Fair Haven United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Sunday, June 23, 2013, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home 1101 Antoine Dr, Houston, Texas. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, June 25, at 9:00 a.m. at Fair Haven United Methodist Church, 1330 Gessner, Houston, Texas. Interment with military honors will take place at 11:00AM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.