January 13, 1956 – January 1, 2025

Cordell, aged 68, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, after a valiant battle with prostate cancer. Cordell fought with determination and grace, inspiring everyone who knew him. Left to cherish his memory are wife Millicent; sons Joshua (Sarah), Adisa, and Colton; daughters Tonya and Saba; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Desnee Flakes and Chinwe Obijiofor; nieces; nephews; and countless relatives and friends. Preceded in death by parents Cordell Sr. and Betty Jean Olive.

Born in Gary, Indiana on January 13, 1956, Cordell was a military “brat” who lived in Italy and Germany before settling in Belmont, California as a teenager. There he played three sports at Carlmont High School while also interning at Stanford University’s science-medical lab. Upon graduation, Cordell embarked on a bold journey, driving cross-country in his Ford Pinto to attend Cornell University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and hotel management. Cordell returned to the San Francisco Bay Area and built a diverse career in hospitality, contracting, and public housing, and became a CPA. Following the end of his marriage to Dorothea, he moved to Washington, DC in 1995 and obtained an MBA from George Washington University.

As an auditor with the public accounting firm Williams Adley, Cordell found his passion in international development, dedicating himself to global projects aimed at uplifting underserved communities and combating child labor. Cordell devoted 23 years to Williams Adley and retired from executive management in 2019 after an exemplary career. Outside of work, Cordell led a vibrant life filled with community service, real estate ventures, and mentoring young men.

Known for his quick wit, warmth, and mischievous sense of humor, Cordell had a gift for crafting heartfelt poetry and words of encouragement. He cherished his family and friends and lived to perform acts of service, large or small, for all whom he encountered. With an infectious smile, and the ability to be present in the moment, Cordell impacted those around him by giving more than he took and imagining what could be. The world has lost a guiding light, yet Cordell’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in mid-March 2025. Details will be available on Legacy.com in the coming weeks.

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