Jose Benito Cordova Sr.
Marriages
Maria Eliria Cordova - December 14, 1951
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - September 13, 2009
Jose B. Cordova Sr. died Aug. 30, 2009, after a lengthy illness at his home in Craig surrounded by his family. He was 78.
J.B. was born June 7, 1931, in Penasco, N.M., to Teleford and Matilde (Velasquez) Cordova. He was raised in Mora, Chacon and Chamisal, N.M.
J.B. moved to Colorado when he was 16 and later moved to Topeka, Kan., where he worked on the railroad. He returned to Penasco, N.M., where he married Maria Eliria Cordova on Dec. 14, 1951. Shortly thereafter, Jose joined the United States Marine Corps and served for a year and 11 months during the Korean War. He was in the reserves until December 1959.
After his release from the service, he returned to Taos, N.M., and worked in an auto body shop and as a mechanic. He and his family moved to Bond in 1955 and went to work on the railroad and began a career that spanned the next 38 years. The last 12 years were working out of Craig.
J.B. enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He was a member of the American Legion in McCoy and later transferred his membership to Craig.
He is survived by his daughters Estelita (Jerry) Cortez, of Lochbuie; Diane Beasley, of Craig; Matilda (Jim) Price, of Yampa; and Beatrice (Troy) Cortez, of Lafayette; his sons Jose Benito Cordova Jr. and Joseph (Faith) Cordova, both of Craig; his grandchildren, Isaac (Lesley) Cortez, Beverly (Ben) Coon, Timothy (Angela) Cordova, Brianna Price, Sean Price, Justin Smith and Anthony Cordova; his great-grandchildren, Christian, Drake and Elijah Cortez, Isaiah Hodges, Alanah Sandoval, Olivia Cordova and Kaleb Cordova; and his sisters Juanita Roybal, of Evanston, Wyo.; Esther (Felix) Madrid, of Espanola, N.M.; and Dorothy Gallegos, of Ojo Sarco, N.M.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Teleford and Matilde Cordova; a daughter, Matilde; a son, Juanito; and his wife, Lila Cordova.
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial graveside service was held Sept. 5 at the Craig Cemetery, with officers of VFW Post No. 4265 officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Northwest Colorado VNA and Hospice in care of Grant Mortuary.
