Thomas Llewellin Cordle, Jr.

Thomas Llewellin Cordle, Jr, 84, died May 6, 2023, at Edgecombe Health and Rehab in Tarboro, NC. He was born September 12, 1938, in Fuquay, NC, the son of the late Thomas Llewellin and Alma Orr Cordle. Tom moved to Charlotte in his teens and graduated from Myers Park High. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a ROTC Scholarship he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Couric. Serving three years in the Navy, Tom then earned his MBA from the Darden School of Business.

Tom was active in all of the communities in which he lived, but especially in Tarboro where he and Carol raised their family since 1976. He was a long-standing member of the Tarboro Rotary Club, and was an active member of Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder and Deacon, teaching Sunday School, and participating in his much-loved Tuesday morning men’s bible study. In 1994 he was awarded the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine" by then Governor James B Hunt for his volunteer role as President of the Presbyterian Retirement Corporation and the work they did in revitalizing downtown Tarboro including the building of the Albemarle Retirement Community.

Tom enjoyed all sports, and loved the Tar Heels. Every September through March Madness he was found cheering on his Heels from Kenan Stadium and the Dean Dome, where he had an aisle seat behind the visitor basket. He enjoyed many years playing with the Righteous Brothers church basketball and softball teams, was an avid tennis player and a cheerleader for his children at numerous tennis matches and swim meets.

Tom was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Carol Couric Cordle, and his second wife Sheila Kennedy Cordle. He is survived by three daughters, Ellen Cordle Underwood (Lee) of Charlotte., Betsy Cordle of Raleigh, Catherine Cordle of Charlotte; and two granddaughters, Anna Underwood and Carly Cordle. He is also survived by his brother Robert Cordle (Casey) of Charlotte; three sisters, Alma Theissen of Marion IN, Anne Doughty (Rick) of Charlotte, and Laura Miller (Jimmy) of Mooresville, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, Tarboro, NC. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, 303 E. St. James Street, Tarboro, NC 27886.

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