John was born July 17, 1947 in Harrisonville, MO, the son of Claude Harold and Mary Alice (Davis) Cordell. He married Ruth Ann Emery on October 12, 1968 in Lansing, KS. John worked for Henry County, Missouri Road and Bridge for 20 years before retiring.
John is survived by his wife, Ruth Cordell, of the home; one son, John Wayne Cordell, Jr., Concordia, MO; one daughter, Sheila Rice, Hickory, NC; two sisters, Sharon Burton, Holden, MO and Carol Julian, Clinton, MO; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.