Richard S. Cordrey

Richard S. Cordrey (September 8, 1933 – August 21, 2022) was an American farmer, businessman, and politician from Delaware. He served in both chambers of the Delaware General Assembly, in the State Senate from 1973 to 1997 and in the House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973. He also served as president pro tem of the State Senate for twenty years from 1977 to 1997 and as the Secretary of Finance of Delaware from 2005 to 2009.

Biography

Governor Jack Markell (left), Mary Jane Cordrey (center), and Richard S. Cordrey (right) at the unveiling of a Delaware Department of Agriculture building dedicated to Cordrey.

Cordrey was born and lived in Millsboro, Delaware, with his wife and family, and graduated from the Millsboro High School in 1951. He was a grain and poultry farmer. Cordrey also worked with the family business, the John A. Cordrey Feed Company. Cordrey served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Gordon in Georgia. Cordrey also went to the Goldey–Beacom College. Cordrey served on the Millstown Town Council from 1965 to 1973. Cordrey then served in the Delaware House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973 and in the Delaware Senate from 1973 to 1997. He then served as the Delaware Secretary of Finance from 2005 to 2009. He was a Democrat. Cordrey died at his home in Millsboro, Delaware, the city where his funeral and burial took place.