Christopher Patrick McCord

Christopher Patrick McCord, 58, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on October 24, 2021. He was born on October 8, 1963 in Glendale, California as the third son to Doris O. Hickman McCord and John F. McCord.

Growing up in Phoenix in the 70’s Chris had a passion for music, and was an awesome trumpet player and was part of the All State Jazz Band at Apollo High School in 1981. He loved playing sports, and was a huge baseball fan and a great second baseman at the Manzanita Ball Club. He loved playing video arcade games, and was known as the “King of Asteroids” and could play all day long on a quarter. He also stood in the long lines at the original Cine Capri to see Star Wars in 1977. Growing up Chris dreamed of getting jets or being and Indy Car Racer or Captain of his own boat sailing the seven seas searching for pirate gold. He was an avid history buff, with special interest in WWII and thought General George S. Patton was one of the greatest Americans ever. Chris started out as a lot boy at West Valley Nissan working his way up to become a Master Nissan Tech and won many awards in the 80’s.

Changing careers, he went back to school for computer sciences, which was his true calling. Chris had innate knowledge of how to make things work and he used to love telling people “I am a scientist” channeling is inner Nikola Tesla. Graduating from DeVry in 1999, he held many positions starting with Lucent Tech, AGCS, and W5 Tech. His final gig was with General Dynamics as a Senior Testing Engineer with the MUOS Team. Since Chris was such a WWII buff, when he learned he was going to be assigned to the original MUOS Team in Oahu, Hawaii, Chris was honored and felt enormous personal responsibility to ensure this program’s success. Christopher touched many lives in his field with his “No B.S. Can Do Attitude, Let’s Get this Done Right the First Time Guys.” He had no problem telling admirals/generals/management “How the Cow Ate the Cabbage”. Chris wanted to make sure our guys had real time communication in the field to do their job, and the tools that they needed to help our military men get home safely to their families. “That’s my Job”.

Chris is survived by his spouse of 34 years, Lori and their two sons, Christopher Raymond and Connor Patrick McCord (A.K.A. Lil Man/Toshimac, and Angel Baby/Congo). His Daughter-in-law, Danielle and his first beautiful grandson, born this past summer Weston Bryce McCord, his brother James and sister-in-law, Lori, and niece Alex McCord, Uncle Raymond and Aunt Jean Hickman, numerous friends and coworkers around the world, and his beloved dogs, Puppet, Leo, and his Attack Chihuahuas, Peanut and Bella Luna.

Chris now joins that spirit in the sky, with his mom Doris, Brother John, niece Megan, Pappy, and Gran Gran, Aunts Ruth and Mary, and Uncle Jim, and all of his beloved four legged friends.

Gone too soon. We will miss your stories, your laughter, always having to have the last word on everything. Listening to all the great musicians including, Louis Armstrong, Ella, The Rat Pack, and everybody in between. Your vast knowledge of every music genre and how you could name that tune in three seconds was annoying. Watching the Saints win a Super Bowl without a paper bag on your head! But I will never forget how we laughed, cried, held our breath, screamed, celebrated and drank champagne into the night when the Cubs won the World Series on 11/02/2016!! You were a pirate at heart, and had incredible chops, Mr. Horn Man (Band Geek) Haha!.

A proud Irishman who enjoyed a good whiskey, and great cigar who “did it HIS way”.

Good Night Chief…Daddy Mac Out 10/24/2021 7:00AM

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.