Fred Lee Cordell was born March 31, 1910 in Durham, Oklahoma to Louise and Jesse Cordell. He passed away June 26, 2000 in Cheyenne, Oklahoma at the age of 90 years, 2 months and 25 days.
Fred graduated from Durham High School and attended Panhandle A & M College. He later graduated from Southwerstern State College with a degree in Math. He taught school at Strong City. He was married to Pauline E. Thomas at Strong City, Oklahoma on June 20, 1935. They taught at Strong City and Breezy Meadow, and Fred was superintendent at Durham. They moved to Cheyenne in 1941, and he served as County Superintendent of Schools.
He entered the United States Navy and served his country during World War II. After his discharge, he went into parnership with Mr. and Mrs. T.M. Reynolds in the Cheyenne Mercantile. He later bought them out in 1952 and ran the Cordell Mercantile until his son, Jack, bought the store in 1974. He continued to work until his retirement in 1980.
Fred was extremely civic minded. He was serving as Mayor of Cheyenne when the original Cheyenne Hospital was built. He was a member, song leader and past president of the Kiwanis Club. He served on the County Election Board for a number of years. He was chairman of the War Memorial Committee and was active in coordinating the little league and softball league for several years. He was an avid sportsman and quail hunter.
He was a member, Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon of the Cheyenne First Baptist Church where he served as song leader for a mumber of years. Fred led singing at revivals all over western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. He had been called upon for over 60 years to sing at funerals.
He was preceded in death by his parent, wife, 12 brothers and sisters and one son-in-law Anthony Cornell.
Fred is survived by two daughter, Paula Cordell Isch and Judith Mae Cornell, one son and daughter in law Jack and Taryn Cordell, ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchild and three great great grandchildren along with a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be held June 29, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cheyenne First Baptist Church, officiated by Terrell Romberg and Leland Burns. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery at Durham, Oklahoma.