Gerald L. "Jerry" Cordis

On July 28th, 2023, we said goodbye to our charismatic husband, father and grandfather, Gerald L. Cordis. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Sally and children, Daniel (Kelli), Karen (David) Volk and grandchildren Nicholas (Annie), Sarah, Anna and Charles Volk and Sophie, Isabel, Emilie and Charlotte Cordis.  His son, Michael (Katie) passed away in January of this year.

Jerry was born in Pana, Illinois in 1939.  He joined the Air National Guard as a senior in high school in Peoria, Illinois and spent the next 20 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard as a fighter pilot, achieving many commendations including the coveted Top Gun award, retiring as a Major in 1977.

He graduated from the University of Illinois and began a career in sales with J & L.  His first assignment was in Cleveland, Ohio.  While living in Rocky River he served as a councilman and was a member of the Board of Directors of Lakewood Country Club.  This in addition to meeting sales goals and flying for the Mansfield Air National Guard on weekends.

He and his family moved to Pittsburgh in 1977 and Jerry went to work for Teledyne Columbia Summerill in Carnegie.  He and his partner Frank Cremeens traveled throughout the U.S. achieving amazing sales numbers and creating lifelong friends along the way. He retired as Vice President-Sales.

Jerry loved playing golf at Chartiers Country Club with his long-time buddy, Geoff Gibson and many other “scratch” golfers/friends. He served on the Board at Chartiers for several years.

He had a deep love for animals, especially Golden Retrievers, and one could argue that he was the human equivalent of one -- smart, kind, loyal, and outgoing. Jerry also loved cruising around in his classic red 1964 Corvette and crashing the river waves in his “Make My Day” speed boat.

To be in the car with Jerry “Road Hog” Cordis was to witness him unzipping the bag phone, talking on the CB, and packing his pipe all at the same time while still somehow maintaining control of the car. What a guy!

Jerry had boundless energy, a one-of-a-kind sense of humor, and a wide circle of friends.  We will always have a hole in our hearts where he belongs and will miss him deeply.

Please don’t send flowers.  If you would like to contribute in his memory, you might consider Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org) which provides homes and pays mortgages for injured Veterans and First Responders and their families.

The family will welcome friends on Sunday, August 6 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at R.D. Copeland Funeral Home, 702 Beaver Street, Sewickley PA  15143.  A military ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 7 at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Rd., Bridgeville, PA  15017.