Charles Russell Cordier

Charles Russell ‘Rusty’ Cordier, was born to Victor and Pearl Cordier on May 30, 1935. He passed away on October 30, 2023, from complications related to dementia. He is now with the love of his life Yvonne Rose Cordier. Rusty was born and raised in St. Ignatius, MT and was a proud member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe.

Rusty was very proud to have served in the US Navy for 3 years from 1953-56. After serving in the Navy, he returned home and rekindled his love for Yvonne and her two children, Terry, and Jim. Rusty re-enlisted in the service joining the US Army in 1958.  In June of 1959, he & Yvonne were married.  Rusty was discharged in 1961. After Rusty and Yvonne married, they welcomed Dalene, Scott, and Brett into their family.  

For most of Rusty’s life he was a jack of all trades. He often had jobs that took him away from home but gave him an opportunity to see different parts of the U.S. His many jobs included truck driving, heavy equipment operator, logging, Trans Alaska Pipeline, Yellowstone trucking. His last job before retiring in 1997, he took a position with the Bureau of Reclamation where he retired. After some time off and enjoying retirement, he decided he needed something to keep busy, he took on various jobs including driving tow truck for Draggin’ Wagon, being a boat captain for KwaTukNuk Resort and many more. Later he finished his career driving bus for DHRD.

If you couldn’t find Rusty and Yvonne at home, they were most likely out camping with their kids, and or grandkids, playing dice with his siblings, or just puttering around the house with Von or working in the yard. One of Rusty’s fondest memories was coaching women’s basketball and softball in his younger years.

Rusty was preceded in death by the love of his life Yvonne, parents Victor and Pearl, his brothers Jody, Victor, Leonard, Fred, and infant brother John, sisters Leona, Geneva, Emma Jean, and Jerry.

Survivors include his children Terry (Dave) Orr, Jim (Joyce) Cordier, Dalene (Frank) Homan, Scott Cordier, and Brett (Terri “TJ”) Cordier; 14 grandchildren, and 30 great – grandchildren; his siblings Raymond (Deb) Cordier, and Francine “Francie” Clark, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and numerous other family members.