Nicholas A Cordova

October 17, 1920—July 17, 2019 Nicholas Arthur ("Art") Córdova passed away on July 17, 2019, at the age of 98. He was born October 17, 1920, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, as the oldest son of Nicolas ("Nick") and Henrietta Córdova. His family has had a presence in the Americas for 10-13 generations, and he was descended from Spanish colonists, some of whom came to the New World in the 1500s. Although his parents first language was Spanish, they did not teach their children Spanish; but Art had to learn it as a child during the few summers when he went to northern New Mexico to work on his relative's ranch where no one spoke English except his grandmother. There he learned to ride horses, to hitch up a team to a wagon, and to work hard without complaining. He was always grateful he learned to speak Spanish and very much enjoyed speaking it to his parents and to anyone else. His knowledge of Spanish served him well on his many travels to Mexico and Spain. Art graduated from Albuquerque High School and attended the University of New Mexico, majoring in electrical engineering. He married Betty Cole, a close neighbor in Albuquerque, in Reno, Nevada, on July 19, 1941. They had two children, Laurel and Gary. Laurel married Mike Edenburn and had two daughters, Jennifer (who married David Cunniff) and Sara (who married Justin Harper). Their daughters are Kira Cunniff, age 18, and Molly Harper, age 8. Art and Betty were married for 41 ½ years at which time Betty passed away on December 30, 1982. Art enlisted in the Army Air Corps on May 1, 1944, and was honorably discharged on May 14, 1946. He was a tech sergeant in charge of central fire control and served as a crew member of B-29 bombers Celestial Queen and 8 Ball Charlie based on Tinian Island in the Pacific during WWII. This is the same island that the Enola Gay, which carried the atomic bomb, took off from when it bombed Japan. Art's crew knew nothing about this, however, as it was a top-secret operation. After the war, Art served in the National Guard. Before the war Art had worked at Lockheed Aircraft Co. in Los Angeles, California, and after the war he worked for a time at the New Mexico School of Mines (now called New Mexico Tech) in Socorro, New Mexico. He spent most of his professional career, over 30 years, as an engineer at Sandia National Laboratories where, among other things, he served as the head of the Electronic Apprentice Program and as the supervisor of the printed circuit lab. Art was also active in the community. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America and served as a scout master for six years and, later, for three years as district chairman of the Kit Carson Council; he especially valued the sense of self-discipline that the Scouting program emphasized. Son Gary achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout during those years. Art especially loved hiking and outdoor activities with the Scouts and extended this interest into hikes with his family and friends and then as a member of the New Mexico Mountain Club. Some highlights were trips to the Grand Canyon, Havasupai in Arizona, Rainbow Bridge in Arizona, Mount Blanca (a 14er in Colorado), Barranca de Cobre in Mexico, Mount Paricutin in Mexico, and Machu Picchu in Peru. His most memorable (and dangerous) climb was in Mexico when, at the age of 64, he climbed the 5th highest peak in North America (17,930 ft.) Mount Popocatepetl ("Popo") one of Mexico's most active volcanoes and second highest peak. His climbing partner experienced altitude sickness as they reached the peak, then collapsed and slid down the mountain to his death. Art had to descend the peak on his own, and the Mexican Search and Rescue team recovered the body of his friend. At the age of 78, he enjoyed climbing the La Luz Trail in the Sandia Mountains with his nephew's family, a total round trip of 14 miles. Art enjoyed teaching young people and had a Radio Club and an Astronomy Club, at which time he built his own telescope. He built and operated his own amateur ham radio and was licensed as K5ZRS. He also constructed his own adobe home where he lived for 69 years until his death. He always had a project, putting together a grandfather clock one time and a dulcimer another. He also tied flies in the early years of his marriage when he loved to fly fish and to hunt. In 1962 Art and Betty bought a 310-acre ranch in northern New Mexico near Las Vegas. Art improved the grazing land and, with his partner, ran 30 to 40 head of Hereford cattle most years. They branded, castrated, and vaccinated calves the old-fashioned way and provided calves to family members to fatten. The family also enjoyed many family gatherings at the ranch where they climbed the crestone, picked wildflowers, hiked the trails up into the high country, waded in the Sapello River, and cooked dinner over a fire in Dutch ovens. Wildlife sightings were also exciting—brown bears, elk, beavers, and ferrets. Art was active in the Republican Party and participated as a delegate and in supporting candidates. He served for a time on the Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation Council which advised the county on the operation and maintenance of the Albuquerque city parks. He was also a member of the Elks Club and the Toastmasters Club. Perhaps his greatest passion was to teach others about the Bible. He was a Sunday school teacher for many years at First Christian Church in Albuquerque, serving also as an elder for a number of years. He wrote several books about the Bible to aid others in their understanding. Combining his love of travel with his Christian faith, he went on several mission trips out of the country, either to teach (in Spanish in Peru) or to build small churches (New Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Mexico). During his last trips in his 80s, he carried his own tools with him as he made the plane trips to his destinations. He was also involved with the Creation Science Fellowship of New Mexico, serving for a time as president. Art married Virginia Stewart on December 22, 1985, and they were married for 34 years. They traveled together (a highlight being a cruise through the Panama Canal) and spent time with Virginia's daughters, Debbie Stewart, Nancy Lozon, and Karen Berger, and their families. Debbie has four children: Johnny Garcia (son Sammy Garcia), April Garcia (sons Santiago and Tony Mora and Christopher Torrez), Charlene Williams (daughters Octavia and Sierra Stewart), and Wayne Brown. Karen has three children: Alex Berger (sons Atticus and Paxson Berger and daughter Beth Berger), Ethan Berger, and Madelyn Berger. Virginia also has a great-great-granddaughter, Addison Parsons, daughter of Octavia Stewart. Art will be missed by his family and friends, especially for the good example that he set, his active involvement in life, and his sense of humor. He was an avid reader, always learning something new, and always willing to discuss the current issues of life. He taught self-reliance, hard work, that his children and grandchildren were capable of achievement through commitment, the importance of the extended family, community service, standing up for what is right, patriotism, love of country, and love of God. He was a mentor and role model to several nephews who have expressed their gratitude for his guidance in their early lives. His life will be celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2019, at 10 AM at First Christian Church,. 10101 Montgomery NE, followed by interment at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:45 with full military honors. Pallbearers will be Justin Harper, Gordon Harris, Jim Rivers, Bud Cavin, Jerry Coryell, and Tom Headley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the American Cancer Society, First Christian Church, or Creation Science Fellowship of New Mexico. Arrangements entrusted to: Riverside Funeral Home, 226 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 505-764-9663, www.riversidefunerals.com.