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BORN
1954
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Kenny Cordray Obituary
1954-2017
Kenneth "Kenny" Cordray, was born in Texarkana, July 21st, 1954, to Carol Ann Kerns, and left us much too soon, May 21st, 2017, at the age of 62.
Kenny spent most of his early years in Houston, and considered himself a Houston native. Kenny was known throughout the music world as a virtuoso guitarist. Kenny's early work with The Children on ATCO, would yield the song "Francine," which became a groundbreaking hit for ZZ TOP, going to 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. Kenny's employers and collaborator's include Wayne Cochran and CC Rider, with Jaco Pastorius, John Mayall, John Lee Hooker, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Miles, Sisters Morales, The Champion Sisters, Skylark, TKOH, and Durango 95. Kenny manned the helm of his own projects, including CORDRAY, The Civilians, Blue Science, Love Street Light Circus, and CRC.
Recently Kenny has been a prolific songwriter, working closely with engineer/producer Andrew Bradley at Sugar Hill Studios, and even more recently at Wire Road Studios, collaborating on projects for Willie Nelson, Archie Bell, Roy Head, and many other grammy nominated and winning artists.
Kenny had recently celebrated his 12,000th day of sobriety, and worked tirelessly to help others find their way to a healthy and sober life. Kenny was a master teacher, and always had a full compliment of students, many of whom have begun their own careers in the world of music. Kenny was a fan, and supporter of everyone he met, a true encourager.The world of Music, but especially the Houston Music Community, his many friends, his children, his wife, and extended family, are embracing an incomprehensible loss.
Kenny is survived by his wife of 36 years Patricia Cordray, son Coleman Cordray, daughter Julia Cruse, son-in-law Ryan Cruse and granddaughter Linden Cruse. He is also survived by numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 27th at 2PM at:
Niday Funeral Home
12440 Beamer Rd.
Houston, TX 77089
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous of Houston and Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Greater Houston.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenny Cordray
Sponsored by Peevey Funeral & Cremation.
Coleman Cordray
July 21, 2025
Happy Birthday old man. We´ll be having milkshakes for you! Love you always.
Coleman Cordray
May 21, 2025
We miss you everyday dad. I see you everyday in your grandchildren. I hear your voice in my mind during these strange times. We celebrate what you mean to us in all the ways we can. Thank you for being the luminous being you were.
Bill Nelson
May 19, 2025
I think about Kenny every day. I could sure his sage advice these days. 8 years... just doesn't seem possible. Seems like it was just the other day.
Love Always,
Bill Nelson
John Bockelman
May 19, 2022
Your kindness and compliment to me at SugarHill will never be forgotten, Kenny. Thank you. May you rest in peace. JB
Winston Edmonds
June 4, 2017
Rock on brother. RIP
Todd Harrison
June 3, 2017
my closest friend for 26 years..my musical soul brother...and my big brother....speechless...there was only one of him...thank you for blessing my life with your amazing talent and wisdom in life and closest friendship....love ya man...to say "I'll miss you"....doesn't even begin to say it...
Sue Nealon
May 31, 2017
Thank you for sharing your talent with us. You will be missed but there's a great gig in the sky waiting for you. RIP Kenny.
John Bockelman
May 30, 2017
When the Citykings were recording their album at SugarHill, you stopped by and complimented us on our playing. You didn't have to do that...it just showed us how great of a guy you were. Thank you, Kenny. May you rest in peace. JB
May 29, 2017
I live across the street from where Kenny lived with his mom, when I first met him at Lanier Jr. High
I look over at the building everyday going to my car and think of him back then.
He had no idea of the influence he would later have on music and people in the years that would follow.
I can not improve on what was said at his memorial service by Bill and Allyn.
He was the "gold standard" of all that he did.
My love and prayers to Pat, Julia, and Coleman.
I now will turn my attention to fulfilling all of his desires for his music and perpetuating his memory, by continuing to collaborate with as many of his musician friends as I am able.
I will also rejoice in the future, which was his pride and joy.......his children and his grandchildren.
Charles Stewart
Texas
Joel Nicole & Cole Brown
May 27, 2017
Thank you for everything, Kenny. Because of you, my son is a musician. He looked forward to every guitar and bass lesson... and was always so sad when the two weeks of RockCampLive were over. We all appreciated every smile, laugh, cool rock story and your constant professionalism. What a life you lived! Every time I talk to my son about living a life that he wants and doing what he loves - I talk about you. You're missed and will be remembered. Peace, love and prayers to your family.
5/23/16 Birraporettis Houston
Kathryn Melton
May 27, 2017
5/23/16 Guitarzillas
Kathryn Melton
May 27, 2017
May 27, 2017
Kenny was my guitar player in the early 70's in New Orleans with a bamd called "The Jackson Brewin'Company"
His playing was unbelievable!
He and two others came over from Wayne Cockran,and we had a great time together! He will be missed!
Bless you Kenny
Fitzgerald's...Houston, 1984
Brent Wilson
May 27, 2017
Words cannot express the profound sense of loss and the sadness I have felt since I heard of this great tragedy. As a young guitar player in Houston in the early 1980's Kenny was a major source of inspiration and encouragement for me and I learned a great deal from him. I treasure the many times I saw him and heard him play, as well as the times I was able to visit with him and eventually share a stage with him. As a player, Kenny was always stellar. He was such a pro and such an amazing presence; such a great guy with a kind and powerful spirit. Though I do not know Kenny's family, my heart goes out to you all. Know that you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate through this great loss going forward from today. May God keep you all in His tender care and give you peace. God rest your soul Kenny.
Billy Akers
May 27, 2017
I first met Kenny in third grade at Rosemont elementary school Oak Cliff Dallas in 1963. Even then he was an accomplished guitarist with Elvis as his hero. I recall he was extremely proud of a new red acoustic guitar he received that year for Christmas that replaced an old beat up acoustic he had been playing on for who knows how long.
When the Beatles burst onto the music scene he had a sign on his door that simply said "BEATLES GO HOME". He stayed loyal to Elvis when he and his Mother moved back to Texarkana a few years later and I lost touch. I always knew he would have an impact on music but not such an impact on the souls of people he met.
By chance I met up with him again in Houston at Evans Music in the late 80's and it was like we never parted.
Living on polar opposites of Houston ment we never got together as much as we would have liked but it was like magic being together as oldest friends.
I hope to feel that "magic" again some day.
God speed Kenny Cordray.
Mike Morrison
May 26, 2017
How do you sum up nearly 30 years of friendship, music, and life in a few words? It was an honor to be your friend, play some music with you, record you in the studio, and do life together over the years. I still can't believe you're gone.
Bobbie Williams
May 26, 2017
Pat,
I am so sorry for your loss. I only knew you a short time and Julip,at the dog park.I am still grieviing from my own personal loss. Your frinds and mine from the dog park are the best therapy when you are ready. I am keeping you and your famaiy in my prayers.
Apollo and Bobbie
Bill Nelson
May 26, 2017
My Daughter, Dakoda Mazzii said everything so eloquently, and beautifully above.
I miss you Brother. This is uncharted territory. My life, my remaining years, is going to be so different now, and much emptier. All the things that we used to do... it just won't be the same. I will try to go on and keep doing everything we used to do, the lunches, the dinners, the hangs, the jams, the sessions... but I will be simultaneously haunted by your absence. Who Am I going to talk about pickups, and tubes with? With who am I going to go and support all of the obscure but brilliant players that no one else cares about? Who will I lean on for encouragement? Where will I find that solid, sage, yet non judgmental advice? I guess I am finally going to have to grow up. Working without a net, without a backstop.
Yeah, I will miss you for the rest of my days on this plain.
johnny Hessel
May 26, 2017
Pat,remembering Kenny, Steve, and David all gone to soon.
Kenny at Wire Road, 2016
Andrew Lienhard
May 26, 2017
No words to describe the loss. He was a rock to so many. Sending my deepest condolences to Pat, Julia, Coleman and everyone in his life. Rest in Peace, Kenny and Kelly.
Rick Lanier
May 26, 2017
So sad since I have heard the news & such a tremendous loss in our music community...Kenny was a Texas Treasure and contributed so much...We shared many good times in our youth and am proud that he called me a friend.My heart goes out to the family and am praying for them all.Kenny & I spoke recently talkin' about grand babies.Gonna miss ya brother. May the good Lord bless & keep you & may you rest in eternal peace. Love ,Rick
Robert Ceballos
May 26, 2017
My condolences to the family. A sad day in the Houston music community. Rest in Peace Kenny.
Robert Ceballos
Dani Scarlett
May 26, 2017
May God rest him in peace and bless his family members in this time of sorrow.
May 26, 2017
I am thinking of you Kenny.
Jim
Dakoda Mazzii
May 25, 2017
I've been blessed to know Kenny since I was a child. My father was a stocky teenager when he met Kenny Cordray at the old Evans Music City on Westheimer. Some of my dads best memories of Kenny were in that store and many of mine were also. I knew Kenny as an uncle, a true brother to my dad; they were best friends. His loss and the circumstances surrounding it are truly incomprehensible. While his music and talent touched so many, his friendship and support will never be matched. Never replaced. Kenny will never be forgotten. He will be there to support you when you want to give up. He will be there to encourage you when you don't give yourself enough credit. He will be there to inspire you when you are creating a work of art. He will be there in spirit when you comfort those who are mourning him. To Pat and Julia, my heart breaks for you but I know his presence will surround you with every step you take and I know he will never truly leave you. Please be strong. Please keep hope. Rest in peace, Uncle Kenny.
Jerri' Ervin
May 25, 2017
So sorry for your loss. RIP Kenny.
Monica Domingue
May 25, 2017
We in your musical family won't forget you, Brother Kenny * Peace be with your family *
Monica
Laurie and Robert Gage
May 25, 2017
We have a sadness that Olney time will heal love and miss you
May 25, 2017
Pat,
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for peace and comfort your you and your family. If there is anything we can do please do not hesitate to call me. Thinking of you.
Fay, Pat, Morgan, Maggie and Kaia
Greg Nowak
May 25, 2017
Coleman - we are all grieving for you here. God Bless you and your family. Remember to let us know if you need anything at all. We are praying for you and yours.
Doylene Cooper
May 25, 2017
Rest in Peace Kenny. Sending Prayers up for your grieving family and close friends. So glad to have known you. I will miss my guitar lessons with you but will continue learning from the inspiration you gave me. Thank you.
Robbie Morrow
May 25, 2017
Coleman, peace and condolences to you and your family during this sad time. I hope you will find comfort in the good memories and the esteem for your loved and talented father from so many people. From your former co-workers at TPOS.
Herschel Berry
May 25, 2017
I am greatly saddened by the the loss of my dear friend and his son, Kelly.
Pat, Coleman, and Julia,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Kenny was so well loved and touched countless lives. He was, and always will be, one of my greatest inspirations. I am blessed with our time together and a better person for having known him. He will live on in many, many hearts.
Danny Klein
May 24, 2017
This makes me so sad. Coleman, on behalf of all your former coworkers at Texas POS, we are all very sorry to hear of your losses. You and you and your family are in all of our prayers.
Coleman Cordray
May 24, 2017
I desperately miss my father and my brother. This tragedy cannot be measured or described in words - the loss is too much. Both Kelly and Kenny loved with their whole heart and touched the lives of countless friends, family and anyone else who crossed their paths. They will be missed.
Kelly and Kenny will live on forever in our hearts and minds.
May 24, 2017
We are so very sorry for your loss.
-Love from Austin
Cathy Bailey
May 24, 2017
Pat, Julep and Family,
On behalf of all your dear friends from the N.B. Dog Park, we are so very sorry for your loss. Kenny and Kelly will be dearly missed. We are here for you and we will all be here waiting for you and Julep when you are ready. Lots of love, hugs and doggie kisses for you, Julep and your family. Sending prayers from all of us to all of you.
Much Love,
N.B. Dog Park Family
(Cathy, Rusty, Fiona and the entire pack from the park)!
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