Born on August 19, 1942, in Augusta, Georgia, Jimmy was the cherished son of the late Sarah Elizabeth (née Culpepper) and Samuel Richard Cordell. He graduated from Largo Senior High School in 1961 and went on to enjoy a long and dedicated career with General Telephone Company, retiring in 1994.
Jimmy was a man of simple joys and lifelong passions. He found happiness in the roar of a NASCAR race, the precision of building model cars, and the nostalgia of collecting Hot Wheels. A true tinkerer at heart, he also spent many hours enjoying conversations over his CB radio.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Alma “Carolyn” Cordell, and their son, James “Richard” Cordell Jr., as well as a host of extended family and dear friends who will miss him deeply.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, Florida 33759.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, causes close to Jimmy’s heart.
