Honorio G Cordero

Honorio G. Cordero, while asleep at home in Clearfield, Utah, peacefully went back to the presence of our Heavenly Father in the early morning of Sunday, May 5, 2024.  He was 94 years and 9 months young. 
 
He is survived by his one and only beloved wife and eternal companion of 69 years and 9 months, Oliva P. Cordero. He is also survived by his 8 children: Gabriel Sebastian (Beselina, Jennifer) in Malaysia; Mona Masuda (Edward) in Gardena, California; Monica Canlas (Elson) in Clearfield, Utah; Vicente (Diana) in Las Vegas, Nevada; Honorio Jr. (Helen) in Clinton, Utah; Cristopher (Olga) in Syracuse, Utah; Pastor (Amy) in Ogden, Utah; and Oliva Christensen (Aaron) in Lawrenceville, Georgia.  He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
 
Honorio joined his first born and daughter, Elizabeth Rhodora Padilla; his parents, Monica and Vicente; all his brothers and sisters; and a few of his nieces and nephews in the Spirit world. 
 
Honorio was born on July 23, 1929, in Manila Philippines, to Monica Gomez and Vicente Cordero.  His nickname was Yoyong, but his was known as "Tatay" to his family and close friends.  Tatay is the Filipino word for "father." He worked to support his family as a young adolescent during world War II since all males, teenager and older, could not work during the war.  He finished high school after the liberation of the Philippines and worked as a specialty salesman in his cousin’s menswear and haberdashery store, MacGregor.  He met Oliva, who was a young teenager at that time and a new hire.  They later got married in 1954 and started a family.  

Honorio then worked at BF Goodrich and the Philippines LDS church offices (formerly PBO or Philippine Bishopric Offices).  He started as an LDS church building custodian and worked his way up to become Philippines and Micronesia Operations and Maintenance Head person. He and his wife also dabbled in small businesses such as chicken poultry, duck-egg production poultry, and general building construction, to support his family.  Life was very hard in the Philippines.  He always says to his family, "even if our stomachs are empty even during holidays, our hearts and minds are always full because of our faith and the words of our maker." 

In 1983, at 54 years of age, his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Delphin, helped him migrate to the United States, in Utah, during the Philippines' long depression.  He arrived in the states with just the clothes he was wearing and a small attaché case containing one change of clothes and only $45 cash to start a new life to provide for his family.  He was then employed by William "Bill" Child of RC Willey as a furniture assembler until he retired in 1996.  He retired after his youngest child, Oliva, graduated from college as his work and life goals were to always provide for a better future for his children and their posterity. To make ends meet, in addition to working at RC Willey, he and his wife would scout all yard and garage sales and be an early bird to buy and sell it at the Swap Meet flea market in Riverdale.  Also, they took on multiple part-time jobs, sleeping only 3 hours a day, renting a small shack with no heating or hot water to save money, eating produce they pick from wild fruit trees on the side of the road and leftover vegetables left on farms after it was harvested. A simple hamburger from McDonalds once or twice a year was special for them as they never went out to eat, and they never went to any vacation or outside entertainment so they can save every penny to put into the future of their children and gifts for their grandchildren. They sacrificed so much for their family. Those sacrifices paid off as he was able to help his children attain their education, and legally bring all his children and their spouses, and his grandchildren here in the United States, without any financial help or assistance of any government or organizations.  He and his wife were also able to purchase a small, cute, and humble cottage with no mortgage or debt.
 
Honorio was a devoted husband.  He would never go anywhere and can never be seen without his wife, Oliva. They were always one and together in their decisions, plans, and goals. His children, when they were young in the Philippines, always remember him coming home and never sitting down nor being idle but would go straight to helping his wife with chores or tackling repairs and projects needed to be done at home. He was an involved father who taught his children gardening, husbandry, home steading, basic carpentry, electrical wiring, and even cooking and sewing.  He taught his children to be industrious and to always be humble.  And he taught his children and grandchildren to pray fervently and always.
 
Honorio loved reading history.  He would always tell stories of his personal experiences during World War II as a young child and teenager.  He also loved telling stories to his children and grandchildren when they were young. Every night he would tell stories he made up that made everyone laugh hysterically and leaves one full of wonder and curiosity.  He also loved poetry, musical movies and shows, and singing.  Sometimes he would randomly sing for his wife just to embarrass her.  And he loved reading the scriptures.  He has so many little notes everywhere of his personal scripture study.  He served various callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since his baptism in the Philippines in 1966.  
 
Honorio was a God-loving man who had a big heart. He would always share what little he had with everyone around him, especially the ones who needed it.  He always had a big smile for everyone.  He was always there for people who didn't have friends and made sure they felt like they belong.  He was always so meek, helpful, and humble.  He always forgave and believed in the gift and power of the Atonement.  He was a great example not only to his family, but to everyone around him.  

We love you so much, Tatay.  God be with you till we meet again.

Friends may visit with family at a Viewing on Monday, May 13, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Aaron's Mortuary, 1050 South State Street, Clearfield, Utah 84015.
 
Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Clearfield City Cemetery, 1050 South State Street, Clearfield, Utah 84015.  Luncheon, provided by the Relief Society Clearfield 17th Ward (former Wedgewood Ward), will immediately follow at 350 Vine Street, Clearfield, Utah 84015.