Chris Cordts

Christopher Robert Cordts 07-18-1951 to 11-20-2016

Chris attended the University of Colorado Boulder, and finished his degree in Social Services at Mesa College. Chris’ first job was McDonalds, where he claimed he put the secret sauce in the Big Macs. He worked at group homes for the developmentally disabled at Carmel House and later at Laradon Hall School as a vocational counselor. At Laradon Hall Chris met his wife, Linda, who was an occupational therapist working with the students on the educational side. Chris went on to employment with CSU extension service where he was one of the original founders of the Denver Urban Community Garden program. During this employment, he obtained a Masters Degree in vocational education from CSU. Chris was hired by the Douglas County School District, where he was an ACE (Alternative Career Education) teacher for Highlands Ranch High School. He also helped to develop the Eagle Academy night school for working students. Chris was well loved by all the students whose lives he touched and taught them basic and functional skills of life. After retiring, he worked with clients in Vocational Rehabilitation and again Carmel House. Chris worked in the local book store as well.

Chris loved recreational sports; specifically basketball, baseball, and was able to find the strength to out live his cancer prognosis and witness his beloved Chicago Cubs win the World Series. Chris taught his beloved wife and grandchildren the joy and art of gardening, spending countless hours growing and sharing organic foods from their garden with friends and family. Camping was another of Chris’ passions where he shared memories, and experiences, with friends and family in tent camping and his 1977 motor home. Chris had an incredible love of music, where family and friends had him identify the artist of a random song on the radio; with a 95% accuracy rating today continually tested him, or at least that would be his opinion of his success percentage. His favorite performers were Elvis, Bob Dylan (who he saw at Red Rocks this summer), and Van Morrison. He had a photographic memory and was an avid reader; he was always everyone’s first pick for the game “trivia”.

These quotes from friends and coworkers sums him up: “He was an outstanding educator, but an even better human being. His soft-spoken, yet strong style had such a positive impact on everyone he came in contact with. He made things work, when it seemed like everything was falling apart. He will be deeply missed! He tirelessly advocated for kids that needed his support and his good will was inspirational to staff and students alike. Chris was quick to make a joke and his humor could make the saddest person laugh!”

Linda Cordts