Joseph Clayton Cornell

Joe entered this earth on September 21, 1935 in the small town of Alma, Illinois to Lewis ‘Bud’ and Dorothy Cornell. He was raised in multiple cities in the Midwest before settling in Hammond, Indiana.

Joe married his ‘true love’ Alice on February 4, 1956. They were married for 66 years. They enjoyed roller skating, traveling, and shared many special memories. He was a loving husband, father to five children and grandfather to two grandchildren.

Joe and Alice relocated to Raleigh, NC in 1988. They enjoyed making new memories together through travel in their early years of retirement.

Joe was the patriarch of the Cornell family and is survived by his three sons: Joe, Scott and Michael (Debbie), and grandchildren Colyn and Shannan (Jordon); sister, Bonnie (Daryl) and brother Lewis ‘Bud’ (Amy); nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and sons (Jimmy and David).

Joe/Dad/Pop/Mr. C. was an incredible man who touched the lives of many. He was a people magnet and never met a stranger. He had a great ‘gift of gab’ and showed respect to all. His cousin Doug shared this about him: “Joe was a man among men. I came to believe that he was my idea of what a man ought to be; he looked how I thought a man ought to look; he spoke the way I thought a man ought to speak and he acted like I thought a man ought to act.”

We have so many great memories and wanted to share a few:

· Joe was so aligned with his vows of marriage (cherish, love, sickness and health) and theirs was a love affair for all time. When Mom became ill, Dad became her caretaker and he did everything in his power to keep her safe, comfortable and happy. They would watch lots of golf and game shows together. When Mom passed, his ‘job’ was complete and he missed her so so much. Joey always said Dad would die of a broken heart.

· He always put family and friends before himself; he always thought of others!

· Dad was such a humble man and no deed (big or small) was complete until he said “Thank you.” He took nothing for granted!

· He loved his sons, daughter-in-law and grandchildren and supported them any way he could. He never missed an opportunity to express how proud and thankful he was for them.

· Pop loved spending time with his grandchildren. He took them fishing, on trips, out to lunch, and was able to see his only granddaughter marry on April 22, 2023.

· Joe loved his phone calls with sister (Bonnie) brother (Bud) and very close friends. Many times, nothing was new, but they heard each other’s voices and knew they were there for each other.

· ‘Coach’ loved Little League baseball and was one of the coaches that took the team to the LL World Series in 1972. To date (50+ yrs later), players from the team would still reach out to him. One of his players shared this tribute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcHNo_tp1vM

· Dad/Pop/Mr. C. shared special times with his sons, grandson, and family friends watching the Carolina Hurricanes…he was able to witness them ‘raise the cup’ in 2006.

· He enjoyed watching college basketball, old movies, the Smithsonian channel, Bojangles chicken, Milton’s Pizza, Smithfield BBQ and his Friday donut.

· There are so many other memories and we know you will think of your own.

No Service is planned at this time. The family will advise once arrangements for a combined celebration of life have been planned for Joe and Alice.

We will all miss him dearly but he is now back with Mom and they can celebrate their wedding anniversary together on February 4th.

Our family wishes to thank all of those that have reached out with messages of kind thoughts and prayers. Always tell those close to you that you love them…and as Dad would say, “Stay safe, happy and healthy.”