Carl H. Cordell Jr.

Carl Hershel Cordell Jr, 82, of Yellow Springs, passed away peacefully at Miami Valley Hospital on February 11, 2025, surrounded by family. Carl was fourth-generation resident of the Village, the oldest son of Carl H. Cordell and Janice C. (Scott) Cordell, and the oldest grandson of Herman and Jennie Lawson Cordell. As a teenager, Carl was a notable athlete in the Miami Valley, excelling in basketball and baseball throughout high school. After a brief time at Central State University, Carl joined the US Army and received training in engineering at Georgetown University. He then headed off to Vietnam where he was a squad leader in an engineering corps that built bridges, He was issued a rifle but refused to carry it during his time there and kept it in his footlocker. He was committed to respecting each person he met regardless of national origin. Carl received an Honorable Discharge in 1965 following his tour of duty. He met his wife, Polly Sackett, during her first year on the campus of Antioch College in 1963, and she never forgot their remarkable encounter that would begin the story of their future lives together. They married in Chicago in 1971 and chose to make their home in Yellow Springs in 1972. Carl worked for International Harvester and General Motors and at the same time, was a remarkable "house husband "who cooked all the dinners and ran the household while his wife Polly worked and played tennis in Dayton. Carl was the bodyguard of the family and is remembered for his fierce loyalty to those he loved. He was a protective and devoted father to his sons, Cary and Christopher. He coached them in basketball and was an assistant coach to the YS High School basketball team. Their oldest son Cary's (Columbus, Ohio) children (Cameron, Chandler, Cory, daughter Soleil, and youngest son Ciaran) developed close relationships with their grandfather. Their younger son Christopher and wife Trish (Kettering, Ohio) always welcomed Carl into their home while their children, Cassidy and Chase, were the beneficiaries of having Carl as their babysitters. Carl was rewarded with their sincere devotion to him. Son, Ronnie Page, of Florida, his wife Louann, and their children, Ronnie Jr, Adrian, Natasha, and Demetre, brought Carl much joy as well. Carl took care of and provided summer fun for his nephew Justin and niece Nina. Carl was a most popular and attentive son-in-law to Andrew and Betty Sackett when they relocated to YS to live at Friends Care Center. As Carl's health declined over the past few years, he still managed to greatly enjoy his time with family. Carl was a good friend to many here in Yellow Springs and elsewhere throughout his 82 years. He was a "fun-loving man" with serious purpose who devoted his life to looking out for others and keeping people safe. He is survived by his wife Polly (Dr. Antoinette Sackett Cordell), his sons Cary and Christopher (Trish), Ronnie (Louann) Page, 11 grandchildren, his brother Gary, and sisters Paula, Carla, and Judy of Yellow Springs. He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister Karen Cordell Wygal, and one brother Craig Cordell.