4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
CORDOVA, RALPH ARNOLD
November 17, 1957 ~ October 10, 2019
Ralph Arnold Cordova, peacefully passed away surrounded by family. Ralph loved art of every medium. Everything from film and television to the sociopolitical and the personal. He was an artist, storyteller and a stand-up comedian. He could find the artistry in every person, place and thing. He also loved the simplicity of a good meal – from a good burger to tacos, tequila or beer. He not only loved to learn, he loved to teach through dramatic storytelling. Every person in his eyes had equal value and he treated all people with dignity. He believed in the simplicity and capability of what children could learn. He was a founder and Director of MARS Art Space. He was the heart and soul of MARS. A proud McClintock Charger and ASU Sun Devil. Survived by his mother, Irma Cordova, daughters, Paloma and Sophia Cordova and stepdaughter, Joselle Perez. Other survivors are his sisters, Annette Jones (Doug), Margot Cordova, Monique Cordova, Nicole Lindberg (Gordon), one niece and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph A. Cordova.
A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM with Scripture Service at 7:00 PM at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 2121 S. Rural Road, Tempe.
The world is more vibrant, more beautiful, more humorous, and more intelligent because of Ralph’s legacy. Sending our love from Wisconsin.
My deepest sympathies to the family, his daughters, Irma and his sisters. As I shared earlier on a post, Ralphie always had a smile on his face. Loved his sense of humor.
Cousin Debbie Gomez
From all the Employees of Native American Connections, who care so much about Margot, we send our sincere sympathies and blessings to her and all the family.
Oh no…I remember cousin Ralph as a sweet and funny soul. I am deeply shocked and saddened by his passing. My heart is broken for everyone who loved him and who’s lives were touched by his. RIP sweet cousin. Rest in God’s loving embrace.❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. He was funny. He didn’t seem to take things to seriously. Prayers for your whole family.
My deepest condolences to his family, for the pass of this wonderful human being. Descansa en paz, amigo !
Ralph was a good friend we fought all the time like brothers but had the deepest respect and love for each other the other side won by receiving him we lost
Sending comfort, grace, love and many memories of shared laughter. I can still hear his stories and see his smile after all these years since the MARS Artspace times. Artist and friend, Julie Brokken
I knew Ralph from our days at McClintock High. He will always be known as a man true to himself and to others. He cracked me up as his humor is as unique and special as he is. One of a kind. So sorry for your deep loss.
My condolence to Ralphs Family. It was my privilege and honor to know and be associated with Ralph.
I have depended on “Mr. Ralphy” to inject bits of humor into life ever since we worked together at the MARS Gallery. I will truly miss those injections.
Please accept my sincere sympathy. I am terribly sorry for your pain.
I am so sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. I knew him as a fellow Charger and yes he always had a smile on his face. Condolences to his family; RIP Ralph
Ralph’s warmth and humor meant so much to me any time I saw him.
I met him not long after I got to Arizona in the early 80s.
Knowing he was around made a huge difference then.
He was antidote to the culture shock of landing here.
And he seemed to be a major ingredient for making community. He might have had the recipe for community.
Thank you Ralph / Raphael. Thanks to your family. You have a lot of company missing him.
My deepest condolences go out to Ralph’s family and friends. Ralph’s presence and creativity at MARS Artspace were foundational to the ‘attitude’ of the place. His gifts of humor, supportiveness and unique ‘take on things’ inspired people around him to explore and nurture their own creativity. Via con Dios, Ralph.
He was simply the most positive critical thinker with kindness ever – love you Ralph – love your family abrazos to all and especially Monique who we know is feeling this beyond measure. Love you love you Jose Montoya loves you el rcaf loves you and is flying escort for your journey North big bra! We had a special thing and I was made a better artists and human because of it sir! Because of you…
Richard M
I’m saddened by the news that my high school friend is no longer spreading his unique brand of humor amongst those he came in contact with. Ralph was a kind man who found the good in people despite their differences. He was always accepting of those who were different than himself and I valued that greatly in his friendship. We lost touch over the years following high school but remained friends via social media and at school reunions. You will be missed my friend. To his immediately family, I’m very sorry for your loss and hope you find some peace knowing how Ralph touched so many lives while living his.
We are so saddened to hear about Ralph’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to Irma, Margot, Monique, Annette and Nicole and the entire Cordova Families. The world lost a very loving, kind, and compassionate Son, Brother, Father and Uncle. Descansa en Paz!
I am heart broken. Ralph, the best of all good friends I have ever been lucky enough to know, is gone.
I pray for you, his family, in this time of grief. May your hearts be strong. God bless you all.
“Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Estimadas Ladies of Ralph,
The struggle to push through air made solid with sadness
My body feels leaden like a clay ready to mold
Instead of creating something new, it just slumps to one side.
Remember all the times we laughed with Ralph because we always laughed.
The oversized painter’s overalls jiggling over his full moon pansa.
Let the love we have for Ralph warm you
Love always,
Stef
So Very Sad to hear this and Praying for God’s Great Peace over ALL the family – We were in High School at McClintock together. God Bless you Ralph
Monique and Margot you had a wonderful brother. He was a joy to know. Whenever I would see him (and many times it was in unexpected places) he had a smile and a wonderful story to tell me. He was quirky and lovely and a joy to be around. He will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him and loved him.
Ralph was a fellow Charger. He had such a kindness about him. Ralph, don’t just fly….soar!
So sad to hear about this, and sending lots of love and condolences to all.
He was one of the first people I talked to when I moved back to Phoenix in 2001, and he showed me so much about the deep history of the art scene, and through his eyes, I fell in love with the place.
He became a good friend, and it was always a wonderful thing to run into him.
I’m gonna miss him.
“He was simply the most positive critical thinker with kindness ever.” Richard Montoyo nailed it. That was one of the things that made Ralph unique and made me seek him out for his opinions and ideas. And being a man surrounded by women growing up and in his adult life, he was especially sensitive. I will miss him terribly.
Goodbye old friend, you graced our table many years with your wit and warmth. I have missed you.
We all will miss you.
Deborah McMillion, Douglas Nering, and James Bucanek
Thank you Ralph for your kindness, gentleness, acceptance, generosity and friendship. I was deeply saddened to hear that the heavens got a little brighter because you made your way to the stars….I never ever heard you say an unkind word about anyone,..GodSpeed Ralph…blessings to your family, our world got a little dimmer since you left…..