Steve Donald Cordova

Steve Cordova passed peacefully from this life on 12/31/2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. He was 74 years old. Per Steve’s written request, there will be no services.

Steve was born on February 26, 1951 in Las Animas, CO to Martin & Rachel (Cordova) Gallegos. He was raised by his maternal grandparents Jesus M & Teresita Cordova in Garcia, CO. At age 16 he moved to Colorado Springs to live with his secondary family Amado & Orvila Cordova and their children, who welcomed him as one of their own and enabled him to finish his education there. Steve faithfully served our country in the US Army and completed 2 tours in Vietnam. He dedicated 36 years to City Market and made many good friends there over the years. He told many stories of some of the antics that occurred during those years and the fun that he had with his co-workers and customers. Steve’s love of rocks began when he was a miner at the Idarado Mine above Ouray, which he enjoyed for several years. He met his wife Julie in Delta and they were married on his birthday February 26, 1999. They celebrated 31 wonderful years together and made Delta their home. When not working Steve’s most cherished times were spent with his wife traveling across the United States rock hunting and successfully running their rock business for 22 years. He also loved gardening and working outdoors around their property where he planted many beautiful trees and flowers, which will stand as a tribute to his incredible work ethic.

Steve is survived by his wife Julie Cordova, his son Chris Cordova (Denver), his daughter Lori McDowell (Tempe, AZ) and a step-son Justin Falck (Delta). Three of Steve’s grandchildren were a huge part of his life, his granddaughter Alyssa (Sam) Ruiz of Denver and his grandsons Samuel and James Falck of Delta, who will carry on his memory and legacy. Steve had 4 cousins who had a profound influence on his life and whom he considered as his brothers/sister who also survive him. They are Loney (Bev) Cordova (Pueblo West), Mike (Fran) Cordova (Lakeland, FL) and Richard (Elisa) Cordova (Marshfield, MO) and Vangie Leyba (Garcia). His brothers Wendell Gallegos (Denver), Charles Gallegos (New Jersey) Ronnie Gallegos (Las Animas) and his sisters Martha Ledezma (Colorado Springs) and Charlene Minjarez (Denver) also survive him, as well as grandsons Noah McDowell, Isaac Montoya and Christopher Cordova, and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Louis, his sisters Irene and Elizabeth, his daughter Monica, and a grandson Steven.

Many thanks to the incredible staff at St. Mary’s hospital that cared for Steve with such diligence and compassion, as well as the staff at Hope West Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Steve’s name to St. Mary’s Regional Hospital Foundation or Hope West Hospice.