Ruben Cordova

CORDOVA, Ruben Cordova, 83 of Las Vegas, New Mexico passed peacefully to be with the Lord on March 19, 2011. He was lovingly surrounded by his family. Ruben was born in Chacon, NM to the late Benjamin and Nfelia Cordova on May 21, 1927. A devoted brother to Placido Cordova, Ben Cordova, Glarence Cordova, Consuelo Medina, Loyola Cordova, Anna May Cordova and Mary Herrera and uncle to numerous nephews and nieces and their children. Ruben’s first job was at a young age, working for his father as an apprentice carpenter, rebuilding the Holman Consolidated School under the WPA Roosevelt Act. He later worked as a carpenter building parts for the atomic bomb and after he was drafted in the US Navy and served on the USS Iowa, he was stationed in Japan. Ruben was married to Rose Martinez and they resided in Cheyenne, Wyoming with their five children. Ruben worked as a back lift operator, warehouseman and civil engineer for the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base and a secondary job as an equal opportunity employment coordinator kept him busy. He was an active member of the American G.I. Forum the American Legion and the education committee for Model Cities. He loved singing in the choir and serving as a commentator at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for over 20 years. Ruben retired after 32 years of devoted service from the Air Force Base and relocated to Las Vegas, NM where he enjoyed getting “back to his Roots” and spent hours playing pool with his friends at the Senior Center. Ruben was always willing to offer his plumbing expertise and loved being political advocate for senior policies. He has a natural talent for fishing, music and mathematics. Many greeted him as he took his daily walks around his home to the senior center. Ruben was a kind, gentle and generous soul. His sense of humor and natural humility will always be missed by all those who knew and loved him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Nfelia Cordova and his brother, Placido. He is survived by his children, Lori Cordova, Ruben Charles Cordova and his step children, Julie Wallace, Ben and Henry Pacero and their numerous children and grandchildren. A memorial service for Ruben will be held at the Rogers Mortuary Chapel, 600 Reynold Ave. Las Vegas, NM on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 10:00a.m. Immediately following will be a graveside service in Chacon, NM. Our thanks to the special care he received at the University of New Mexico Hospital and Vista Care Hospice in Albuquerque will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers or any other considerations, please make donations to: Las Vegas Senior Center, 500 Savino St. Las Vegas, NM 87701 or your favorite charity. Please send your condolences, sympathies and memories with the family at: www.danielsfuneral.com Ruben’s care has been entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Service Carlisle Chapel, 3113 Carlisle Boulevard, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110