Eugene Gene Cordray

Eugene L. "Gene" Cordray, 79 of Bristolville, passed away at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born at home on the family farm in North Jackson on September 19, 1935, the son of the late Leslie W. and Thelma Broadsword Cordray. Gene fought a courageous battle with metastatic melanoma for over 15 1/2 years. Gene graduated from Jackson Milton High School in 1953, where he learned to play tuba in the 5th grade. He graduated from Youngstown State University in June 1962, after being drafted into the US Army in October 1959. He spent his military years at Ft. Benning playing tuba in the 2nd Infantry Division Band. He played for several dignitaries, including President Eisenhower during that time. He was honorably discharged in February 1962 whereupon he finished classes at the YSU Dana School of Music, earning a bachelor of music and education. Gene taught elementary and junior high band for a few years at Pymatuning Valley Schools and then for many years at Hartford and Vernon in the Joseph Badger School district, from where he retired in 1987. Gene played in local dance bands for several years. He played his beloved tuba for several years in the Warren Concert Band, Youngstown Symphonic Band, Youngstown Plazateers and the Lowellville Mount Carmel Band. He was a life member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 86-242 in Youngstown. He formerly was assistant boy scout leader of Troop No. 75 in Bristolville and earned the Order of the Arrow. Gene loved his family, most especially his grandchildren and great granddaughter, and playing for concerts in the park. He enjoyed traveling and camping and had been in every state except Oregon. He also enjoyed making woodcrafts, gardening and putting jigsaw puzzles together, the harder the better. Left to cherish all the wonderful memories are his other half, his wife of 55 years, Amelita "Sue" Owen Cordray, whom he married June 24, 1960; one daughter, Heather (James) Allen of Bristolville; one son, Jeff (Lisa Rodgers) Cordray of Murrysville, Pa.; one sister, Doloris (William) Miller of Wilson, NC; six grandchildren, Brett (Rachel Moore) Allen, Brandyn (Kayla Hillman) Allen, Breanna Allen, Isabella Cordray, Sophia Cordray and Alex McNeil and one great granddaughter, Emmalee Allen. Gene is also survived by several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, August 31, 2015, at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Shafer-Winans Chapel in Cortland, where the funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday with Chaplain Rebecca Hudak officiating. Burial will be at North Jackson Cemetery in North Jackson, where military honors will be accorded. Online condolences may be made to the family and the obituary viewed at www.shaferwinanschapel.com