Kordell Kor

This is a reprint of Kordell Kor’s obituary:

Kordell Alan Kor, 55, resident of Oxnard, passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2008.
Kor is survived by his wife, Ann Kor; daughter, Stephanie Kor; son, Jake Kor (wife Loraine); and seven grandchildren, Daniel, Richie, Mercedes, Daisy, Kameron, Jasmine and baby Kordell. He also has three brothers, Kordeen Kor, Kornell Kor and Tong Kor; one sister, Koretta Vault; and his mom, Vi Chapman who he loved very much, all originally from Colorado.

Kor began his career as a masonry contractor and owned his own company, Kor & Sons Masonry for 30 years. His

favorite hobby was fishing, but he loved all sports. He will always be remembered as a loving, devoted husband, father, and a wonderful grandfather. He will be missed greatly.

Ann Kor shares these memories of her husband, Kordell, with his classmates::

Kordell was a man of passion. In 1977-79 Kordell lived in Iran, working in construction. Upon his return to the United States, he settled in Oxnard, California where he established his masonry company, Kor & Sons Masonry. He was very well known for his fine work in VTA and Santa Barbara. In fact, he was so respected in his community that County Supervisor John Flynn held a minute of prayer for Kordell during the council meeting after learning of his passing. .

Kordell’s other passions were fishing, sports, traveling, and enjoying his two children and his seven grandchildren. He cleverly managed to work all his passions into an “outing” for everyone. A very fond memory for the Kor family is the time Kordell took them all on a road trip to the San Juan River in New Mexico for a week’s vacation.

Ann remembers Kordell’s devotion to coaching little league and American Youth Soccer Organization, proudly proclaiming that he was “the best coach ever!”

Ann said that Kordell is truly missed by his family and the community that so respected him, his coaching contributions, and his fine masonry skills.

Rob Sayre wrote this memorial:

The summer between 9th and 10th grade Kor and I worked together washing dishes at The International House of Pancakes in the Crossroads Mall. Working from 6am – 2pm, this left us enough time to bike or hitchhike to El Dorado or up Boulder Canyon to climb. We spent our money on climbing gear, records and probably getting high. I had been introduced to climbing Kordell Kor the summer before by Pat Ament, whom I had met on one of our summer family camping trips. He was a climbing partner of Tom Ruwitch and they were one of the families we camped with each summer. Kor’s Uncle Layton, of course, was a famous and world class climber and we borrowed equipment from him. It was a miracle we survived some of the crazy stuff we tried and did. Not just the climbing, but riding down Boulder Canyon on our bikes at break neck speed after climbing in the rain or jumping from rock to rock across Boulder Creek in the Spring when the water was really high, to get to the start of a climb. Kor was one of the funnest guys to hang out with, explore with, and just do exciting stuff with.

Kor was strong, capable, fearless and several inches taller than me. This meant that climbing behind him, you had to stretch to reach the protection, go around corners or find the next hand hold. He had a huge, crazy grin and a booming laugh. He learned to be a mason from his Uncle Layton and so it was not surprising that he continued in this line of work. Jay Chivers called me when he passed. It was so odd to think of a person so vital, strong, and fun to be around as gone. I would have loved to see that grin one more time.

Rick Hinrichs recalls:
I remember one night at the Bluebell Canyon shelter drinking beer and smoking reefer with the gang. Kordell and J. Chivers decided to climb the third flatiron. I still remember the flashlights dancing up the face of the third. Crazy people we were to do all the dangerous things we did and live.

Bill Hopkins remembers:
Kordell was a special guy for me.