Ezra Cordell Lundahl

EZRA CORDELL LUNDAHL, 87, died peacefully in his sleep due to natural causes on April 12, 2010, at Sunshine Terrace in Logan, Utah. He was married to his wife of 60 years, Shirleen Lundahl. Cordell was born January 23, 1923, in Logan, Utah to Ezra and Leatha Lundahl. He was the eldest of six children.
Cordell loved to learn and had a healthy competitive nature. He resided the majority of his life in Cache Valley. Growing up he attended Cache Valley schools where he was distinguished as a champion marksman in the ROTC Rifle Club and notable member of the Logan High School swim team. Cordell actively participated and finished notably in horse showmanship jumping competitions where he rode his father’s horses, Napoleon and Moby Dick. He voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII in 1943. He was stationed in the South Pacific where one of his duties was to diffuse bombs. He also began his pursuit of his lifelong love for aviation. He completed his first 60 hours of flight training while still enlisted. When he returned home in 1946 he began working with his father on another lifelong love of designing and manufacturing farm equipment. During this time he was attending Utah State University where he met, fell in love and married his wife, Shirleen Bramwell, from St. Anthony, Idaho. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on April 14, 1950.
Through Cordell’s creative drive he developed many new business ventures, ideas and concepts. He was a true entrepreneur who actively pursued the rights of creative business ventures. Cordell Lundahl was the President of the National Congress of Inventor Organizations (“NCIO”) from 1993 to 1996, and he also served as Vice President for several years prior. He expanded NCIO's scope by participating in the White House Conference on Small Business where it campaigned for improved patent law protection. In addition, NCIO was selected as the exclusive U.S. representative of the International Federation of Inventors Associations (IFIA).
Cordell Lundahl, President and CEO of Ezra C. Lundahl Inc., holds over 165 patents and applications. He worked with John Deere & Co which resulted in the development of new concepts in hay and grain equipment and ultra sonic measuring devices which are marketed throughout the world.
In the spirit of his entrepreneurial ventures he founded Ezra C. Lundahl, Inc., Lundahl Astro Circuits, Lundahl Instruments, and Lundahl Research Ranch. He loved the outdoors and his Ranch in Nevada, a source of great pleasure for Cordell.
He was the recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration's 1992 Entrepreneurial Success Award, the Economic Justice Award, and the 1994 Bronze Bulbieª Award. He was also a proud member of the Utah Centers of Excellence Program Advisory Council from 1987-1998. He spent his life fighting for the rights of various political agendas. He was an active member of the Logan Lion’s Club.
One of Cordell’s most treasured life callings, and one from which he learned the most valuable insights and understanding into human nature was that of being Bishop of Providence Eighth Ward for five years (1983 – 1988). The relationships developed while serving as bishop, remained with him throughout his life. Cordell loved flying and would often take the widows, ward members and youth of the ward on airplane rides. His unconventional nature as a bishop was loved by the members of his ward.
His love for his airplane was both for business and pleasure. He managed to crash land three times and walked away claiming there were “angels on his wings.” He logged over 40,000 hours flying time over his lifetime.
Cordell’s love of his family was abundant and over the years he taught each of them the value of hard work, dedication, unwavering perseverance and determination. Integrity and honesty are the core values which he based his foundation in life. Cordell loved to hunt and fish with his family. He could always be counted on as a monumental stable force in the needs of his family and community through their trials and tribulations.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Shirleen Lundahl, his seven children, Chris (Ali), Mark (Natalie), Jeff (Lisa), Leanna, Dewey (Diana), Allison (Ted), Todd (Teresa), his three sisters, Lauralee (Keith) Ercanbrack, Palma (Bill) Madsen, Julie (Odell-deceased) Nord, and one brother, Jim (Karen Rae) Lundahl, 35 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, John Garth, and his parents, Ezra and Leatha Lundahl.
A viewing will be held at Allen-Hall Mortuary Friday, April 16, 2010, from 6pm to 8pm. On Saturday, April 17, 2010, from 10:30 am to 11:45 am the viewing will be at the Providence Fox Ridge Ward, 155 North 100 East, Providence, Utah. The funeral will follow at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at Providence Cemetery.
A special thanks to Sunshine Terrace and staff, CNS, Dr. Michael Stone and Fox Ridge Ward. Condolences may be sent to: www.allenmortuaries.net