Rudolph Albert Cordova, Jr.

With great sadness we said goodbye to Rudolph Albert Cordova, Jr. on June 13, 2024. He was our family patriarch or Jefe, loving husband, father, and grandfather (also known as Bebop), brother, brother-in-law, father-in-law, uncle, friend, educator, mentor & leader.

Rudy or Rudolph as he sometimes would call himself, was born in Merced, California on September 28, 1936, preceded in death by his parents Rudolph Guadalupe Cordova & Angela Vega Rodriguez, his first wife Elizabeth Ann Carranza & his brother Hector L. Cordova.

He is survived, by his wife Maria Rodriguez Cordova, his brothers Manuel, Charlie, and sister Cristalle; his daughters Elizabeth, Heidi, Cristina & Valerie, his stepdaughters; Bianka and her husband Brian Kelley, Marisol and her husband Marc Piazza; grandchildren Carlitos, Sarah, Hannah, Stephen, Hope, Mattias, Marrick, Alexander & Isabella. He was uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Rudy graduated from Merced High School, received his bachelor's degree, additional minor in Speech Communications & master’s degree from San Jose State University (SJSU), and completed graduate work in Linguistics at Stanford University. He was a scholar of Spanish, Mexican history, Spanish linguistics & colloquialisms in our modern day. His academic background was the foundation for the work he began with his first wife Elizabeth, many colleagues & fellow compadres towards opening doors of opportunity for our “Gente.“ Rudy worked tirelessly organizing and coordinating with other educators, colleagues and community leaders dedicated to addressing the education gap and lack of opportunity for our “Gente” in the community.

His passion for leadership began early in his life, coordinating events in elementary school, to Captain of the High School football team, President of Kiwanis Club, Cadette Captain of ROTC, and delivered the Senior farewell speech as Class President. Over his career as an educator and leader, his contributions included supporting his first wife, Elizabeth & other educators for the first Walkout in California history at Roosevelt Jr High School in 1968. This event was intended to bring attention to disparities in education and lack of opportunities for our “Gente.” He went on to write, develop & teach workshops for San Jose Unified School District, teach in the Mexican American Studies program at San Jose City College (SJCC), Evergreen Community College (ECC) & SJSU. He was influential in the recruiting & hiring of Latino educators & professionals to fill teaching positions and support the Mexican American studies curriculum on these campuses. Rudy started a teacher para-professional program; wrote a federal grant for this program which provided funding for 4-5 years. In 1999, Rudy co-chaired the Latino/Latina MacArthur Fellows Reunion, he was Vice President of the Latino Education Association. He was the first head chairperson of the Ethnic Studies department, member of Mecha and La Raza Faculty Association of Community Colleges and faculty member at both SJCC & SJSU. Rudy’s leadership and passion for education was an instrument of change. It opened doors for countless to attend college, gain an education and improve their lives.

Rudy was the quintessential man. He was a provider, protector and partner to his wife Maria and demonstrated the same values with his children and family members. He gave his few words of wisdom direct and to the point. Rudy was a friend to those he called brother or compadre, coach or mentor and a father figure to those without one. He was an amazing cook and head tamalero in our family.

We will miss your quick-witted anecdotes, funny & sometimes corny jokes, movie reviews, Spanish sayings, commentary on Mexican history, Spanish language expertise and one liner words of wisdom. We will miss your laugh, hammy smile, sarcasm, company at family gatherings, baseball, and football games. We hold countless memories of you when listening to the music you loved, books you read, foods we eat; reminders of the gifts you gave us. We are consoled; knowing your presence and contributions in our lives and to countless others made a difference. We will strive to honor you, as we march on without you.

Donations in lieu of flowers: SJCC LEA-Rudy Cordova Scholarship Fund
 A private celebration of life will be held on September 7, 2024, by invitation.