Mr. Cordell Winston Christopher, Sr. was born in McNeil, AR on December 10, 1933. He was the eldest of nine children born to Farce Desoto Christopher, an educator, and Alice Vester Christopher nee Alexander, a pianist. Raised in Ashdown, AR he was a proud mentor and teacher to his younger siblings who looked up to him. An advocate of hard work and discipline, he worked various jobs of all kinds throughout his grade school years. One of his first jobs was a newspaper route as a young boy. He had jobs in grocery, retail, restaurants and more. He loved different experiences and work was not just about the money. He often said he gained knowledge from every job he took. Work also allowed him to treat his younger siblings. His youngest brother called him a second father figure and recalled Cordell buying him his first cub scout uniform.

After high school in Arkansas, Cordell put himself through college earning a bachelor's degree from Bishop College in Marshall, TX while working full time. In 1960, as a young teacher in Mississippi, he met and soon married the love of his life Marva Louise Bridges, a cute, fellow new teacher. They later traveled across country to California with a toddler and an infant in tow as he went to study and achieve a master's degree in education from San Diego State University.

In 1968, he was recruited by the Tacoma School District and relocated to Washington state with his wife and two young children. Later their third child was born. An outstanding leader and educator, Cordell was committed to making a difference in the lives of students and making an impact on the system to foster their success. He retired after dedicating over fifty years to the district in counseling and administration roles at various middle and high schools throughout the city. Upon retirement he fondly joked, "It was time to retire after working since I was six years old!" With his enjoyment of nature and fishing as his favorite past time, he spoke fondly of the stunning scenic views of Commencement Bay from his office at Stadium High School.

Cordell was an amazingly gifted and skilled cook who enjoyed hosting holiday feasts. EVERYONE especially loved his mouth-watering rolls, chicken dumplings, pecan pies and Greek cookies. His biggest joys in life were his family. He was a wonderful provider, devoted husband, outstanding father and adoring grandfather. He had strong values and morals with a passion for education and achievement.  Cordell was the consummate provider and guiding light. He was a positive role model to many, with a lasting legacy. He was very proud of his three adult children and his grandchildren whom he loving called "PawPaw's girls" and "PawPaw's boy." Being actively involved in their lives was very important to him. He felt blessed and pleased to be able to see them through their journeys to young adulthood and took pride in their achievements.

In 2007, Cordell received the Father of the Year Award from St. John Baptist Church where he worshipped for many years.  He earned many other awards and recognition throughout his lifetime. He was a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and was the first initiate of the Iota Mu Lambda Chapter on December 1, 1969. Cordell enjoyed giving back and helping those in need. He regularly volunteered his time to many community activities and supported several local and national charitable organizations along with his wife, Marva.

Fondly called the "cat with nine lives", and "the other Superman" by amazed friends and family, Cordell had tremendous emotional and physical strength. In his latter years he had several bouts of aspiration pneumonia and mobility issues after a stroke, and in 2020 rebounded from a near death Covid 19 experience even when some doctors and practitioners had counted him out. In all, he thrived and survived at his own pace, at God's will, until he was eventually tired of the run and passed away peacefully due to the aftereffects of repeated pneumonia and natural causes. He never failed to express appreciation of the love and care he received from his children, family and friends. And he was grateful for the help of the wonderful caregivers who assisted. Because he loved languages he would often happily engage some of them in their native languages to everyone's laughter and delight.

Cordell Winston Christopher, Sr., the cat with nine lives, peacefully left this earth, crossing the finish line to be with our Heavenly Father on November 23, 2023—a few weeks shy of his 90th birthday. He was predeceased by both parents, brothers Max Christopher and Creamus Christopher, sister Emogene Christopher, and sister-in-law Loann Christopher. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife of 62 years, Marva Christopher; daughter, Narva Christopher Walton; sons, Cordell Winston Christopher, Jr (Nikki) and Dwayne Christopher (Meesha); grandchildren, Erikah Walton, Elijah Christopher, Chloe Christopher; Siblings, Landon Christopher, Olivia Christopher, and Elton Christopher of Texarkana, AR; Nathan Christopher (Rita) of Dallas, TX; Dr. Sandra Christopher Austin (Glen) of Wake Village, Texas; his brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; and a host of many other family and friends.

He will be greatly missed but always remembered.