Anthony S. ("Sam") Cordova

Sam Cordova departed this earth one month shy of his 93rd birthday, on August 13, 2025.

Sam’s parents, Samuel and Juanita [Griego] Cordova, welcomed him into the world in 1932 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a cherished son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, friend, husband, and above all, a dad to many beyond his own kids. His humor, warmth, creativity, empathy, and curiosity enriched the lives of all who knew him. Sam was incredibly generous and loved to share meals, his love of art, his creations, and his time. Kindness to others was important to him. He had a gift for making people feel comfortable, welcome, and seen. If he just met you, he would look at you, repeat your name, and make sure you knew you were welcome at his home anytime. He was loved by everyone and will be deeply missed.

Sam attended St. Francis Xavier Parish School, then St. Mary’s High School, and upon graduation joined the U.S. Air Force. Most of his four-year enlistment was served in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1955. In late 1955, Rebecca (“Becky”) Jiron and Sam met on a blind date. They got married in June 1956 in Socorro, New Mexico, and soon started a family. In the fall of 1956, Sam enrolled at the College of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande (later changed to the University of Albuquerque). Sam started working for ACF Industries soon after graduating. Following this, he was employed by General Electric for three years. He then had a 20-year career at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, retiring in 1990.

He was a lifelong creative and a self-taught artist. He began working with wood as a young boy and enjoyed many creative projects throughout the years. He built furniture; produced silk-screened hangings, wall art, and t-shirts; and constructed a porch, a greenhouse, and a playhouse. When landscaping with rocks, he created walkways and waterfall ponds.

After retiring, he devoted his time to carving, starting with simple things, such as turtles, birds, letter openers, and walking sticks, then progressed to pigs, bears, whales, and coyotes. Sam advanced to carving human figures, including santos, as a result of his interest in Spanish culture. He then began painting retablos, carving bultos and carretas, and making crosses and nichos. He accomplished his goal of becoming a New Mexican Santero. Sam’s work was displayed in several New Mexico galleries and shows, including both the summer and winter Spanish Market in Santa Fe for more than a dozen years. But he still wasn’t finished being creative. He made wooden pendants (including crosses, hearts, wolf heads, and alien heads) and crafted leather bracelets, earrings, and keychains, which he gifted to family members and many friends. Sam was far too modest about his many artistic achievements.

Preceded in death by Rebecca, his wife of 63 years, Sam Cordova is survived by his children: Isabel; Steve and his wife Glenda Hogan; Mary Ann; Suzanne and her husband Ron Marr; and Diana.

Mass will be held on Monday, September 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5310 Claremont Ave. NE, with reception immediately following in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.apdaparkinson.org/).