Nolan Cordon

Nolan Ralph Cordon, 81, of North Salt Lake died Wednesday, April 6, 2011 following a lingering illness. He was a beloved husband, Father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was born February 3, 1930, to Audrey and Edgar Cordon in Driggs, ID, one of six children. He had a wonderful childhoodriding horses, working on the family farm and finding ways to get into mischief. He left high school to join the Navy and served aboard the USS Thayer as a Hospital Corpsman First Class during the Korean Conflict. He was given an honorable discharge in September 1951, after 4 years of service. The following summer he married his childhood sweetheart and friend, dear Roberta Larsen, in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. The two of them attended Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID where he majored in chemistry and pre-med. After graduation they moved to Portland, Oregon, where Nolan attended medical school at the University of Oregon. After his medical residency they settled in Petaluma, CA, where he had a long and fulfilling medical career. He began as a general practitioner, delivering babies, performing surgeries and even making house calls. He transitioned to alternative medicine in the late 1970s, and was one of the first medical acupuncturists in the nation. He had a talent for healing not only physical illness but also spiritual distress. In 2005 he married a longtime dear friend, Peggy Roberts. He served as a Boy Scout High Adventure leader for 10 years, and touched numerous boys lives as he led them on 50-mile hikes in the High Sierras of California. His service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included Bishop of the Petaluma, CA 2nd Ward and Stake President of the San Rafael, CA Stake. He also served as medical advisor to 25 Eastern Seaboard missions in 2002-2003, and worked in the Boise, ID and Bountiful, UT temples alongside his wife Peggy. He was a member of the Foxhill Ward, North Salt Lake Stake. He was an intelligent man who enjoyed reading about science, history and the Gospel. He was a kind father and grandfather. He was known for his charm and sense of humor. His kind and gentle manner endeared himself to many over the years. He is survived by his wife Peggy (Roberts) Cordon; children Shelly Teuscher (Dave) and Scot Cordon of Salt Lake City, Derek Cordon (Bonnie) of Brazil (formerly of Bountiful, UT), and Megan Bakaitis (Jim) of Lexington, IL; stepsons Russell Roberts of CA, Sid Roberts of ID and Nathan Roberts of PA; Sister Delma McAfee of WA, brother Ret. Col Shelby Cordon (Barbara) of AZ; sister-in-law Donna Douglass of ID and brother-in-law Dan Larsen of CA; grandchildren Sarah Teuscher, Nikki and Tayse Crocker; Nolan, Tanner, Heather and Dallin Cordon; Rachael, Chelsea, Benjamin and Aaron Bakaitis. He was predeceased by his first wife, Roberta; two brothers, Nelson and Darrell Cordon; sister Kola Cordon; and step-son Gregory Roberts. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 12 at 11am at the LDS chapel on 200 S. Eagle Ridge Blvd., N. Salt Lake. Graveside ceremony Wednesday, April 13 at noon at the Driggs, ID cemetery, his final resting place. Friends may call Monday, April 11 6-8 pm at Russon Brothers funeral home, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful or Tuesday, April 12 9:45-10:45 at the church. A memorial service in Petaluma, CA will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be sent to the Humanitarian Aid fund, a Latter-day Saint Charity, 50 East North Temple Street, Floor 7, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 or http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org.