John C. Cordova

John C. Cordova, 62 of Palmer, passed away Dec. 7 at home.

A memorial Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer. A celebration of life potluck will follow.

John was born Dec. 19, 1946 in Selma, Calif., to Roy H. and Laura R. Cordova.

John graduated from Desert High School, Edwards AFB, California in 1965.

John came to Anchorage in 1965 upon graduation from Desert High School, joining his parents and siblings, where his father was serving in the Air Force at Elmendorf AFB.

John worked for the Army and Air Force Exchange (AAFES) on Elmendorf AFB and later worked for Dean’s Automotive for more than 40 years, as an automotive parts salesman, until his retirement in 2007.

John enjoyed bingo, bowling, baseball, fishing, poker/cards, cars, drag racing, cooking, friends and animals. John enjoyed life itself.

John is survived by his sisters, Theresa A. Smith of Las Vegas, Nev., Rosalind C. Miller, and her husband Robert Miller of Roswell, N.M., Elizabeth Kuestersteffan of Kansas City, Mo., Ruth B. Roclevitch and her husband, Richard Roclevitch of San Antonio, Texas, and little brother Gerrard M. Cordova “Gerry” of Kansas City, Mo.

John’s nieces and nephews, Jennifer M. Gottsch of Las Vegas, Nev., Denise A. Valdez of Meifee, Calif., Michael R. Smith Jr. of Las Vegas, Alexandra Kuestersteffan of Kansas City, Mo., Christopher N. Roclevitch and Bradley A. Roclevitch of San Antonio.

John’s great-neices and nephews, Jordan M. Drake of Las Vegas, John A. Chavez, Vanessa A. Valdez and Gabriella A. Valdez of Menifee, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Roy H. Cordova, II.

Friendships were very important to John, including his extended family, William and Suzie Wong of Anchorage and Sacramento, Calif., Dean Cherrier and family of Anchorage, Darry, Dale, Robbie, Derek Snelson and their families, Paul Fogle of Ky., Dee and Aylee Fogel and family of Homer, and all his other friends and extended family.

Memorial donations may be made in care of Animal Care in the Mat-Su Borough, 350 E. Dahlia Ave., Palmer, AK, 99645.

Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes & Cremation Services ~ Kehl’s Palmer Chapel. www. legacyalaska.com