Randy Richard Cordova attended Glendale Community College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1992 from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication at Arizona State University.

While in college in 1988, Randy began working at The Arizona Republic as a news clerk which included writing obituaries. He later became a copy editor and worked up to the role he was born to do – entertainment writer and later editor for the newspaper's features sections.Through the years, he wrote about most aspects of entertainment, including music, movies, television, books, fine arts, events, and radio.

For several years, he worked as an adjunct journalism professor at the Cronkite School at ASU and Phoenix College, mentoring numerous students throughout the years.

His work appeared in such publications as Spin and Goldmine and he appeared as a guest on news programs on Channel 12 (KPNX), Channel 7 (KAZT) and KTAR (92.3), among others. He authored the liner notes for the three-disc box set "Vikki Carr: The Ultimate Collection" (EMI Records), and he wrote a chapter entitled "Brothers" for Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul: Celebrating La Comunidad Latina.

He was a member of the Phoenix Film Critics Society and numerous celebrity fan clubs. He was also a member of the Arizona Latino Media Association, the Phoenix chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Randy is survived by his wife Maura Saavedra Cordova; a brother; a sister; an uncle; four nieces; and a nephew. He is also survived by great nieces, a great nephew, and a great-great niece, plus many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and a brother Rainy Cordova.

Randy's funeral services was held on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Donations may be made to the Gray Matters Foundation at www.graymattersfoundation.org, or the Ivy Brain Tumor Center research at https://giveto.supportbarrow.org/ivybraintumorcenter. ;