“It isn’t the date on either end that counts, but how you used your dash. For that dash between the dates
represents all the time you spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.”
Bobby Dean Cornelison was born in Harvey, IL on May 1, 1961 and went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 1, 2022.
During his childhood, Bobby was shown a love of music and sang gospel songs with his beloved “Mama Joyce” and father, Eulish. He learned to play the guitar and sang with them at times while they were in a Christian band. Their music reached and touched the souls of many across the country. Over the last ten years, Bobby loved to visit his parents and play and sing with them in their home. His parents raised him to serve the Lord with all his might, and that he did.
During the summers, Bobby really enjoyed traveling to Alabama where his parents were from. He loved spending time with his grandpa, grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins. He knew that Alabama would be where he would someday call home.
When he was 18, he had a calling to serve his country, and joined the United States Air Force. When he left active duty, he moved to Huntsville, AL and joined the police force. He remained in the military with the Tennessee Air Guard as well. After 25 years of proudly serving both his country and the Huntsville community, he decided to retire and start the next chapter of his life. He loved all his brothers and sisters that served with him in the military and HPD. They were, and always will be part of his circle, his family. There was a bond that he knew everyone in that circle had, and they would always have each other’s “six.” Bobby faced many evils during his career, and always knew that his Mama’s prayers and his guardian angel had saved him countless times. When he retired in January of 2013, he gave tribute to this with a tattoo of St. Michael with outstretched wings upon his back that included the bible verse Psalms 91:11, “For He shall give His angels, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Bobby met his wife, Jodi, on October 31, 2012 in Huntsville, AL. They knew after just three short days, that God had brought them together. They were married on June 21, 2014 and lived an incredible love story that only He could have written for them. They truly loved doing everything together, from going to rodeos, to just sitting on the porch listening to music. Bobby loved to serenade her with his guitar to songs they enjoyed, and songs he’d just make up to put a smile on her face. He liked to call her his, “soft place to land.” Their two boxers, Stryker and Bogey, were always right there by their side. Taking them on their daily ride through the neighborhood to look at the deer, became a highlight of Bobby’s day.
When he retired from all work in 2017, his servant heart pulled at him to continue helping others. Bobby had a love for hunting and the outdoors. His passion for the charity, Trinity Oaks, allowed him to take veterans and first responders into the outdoors to help them find peace at Thumbtack Ranch, where he was able to find his own. He called it “The front porch to Heaven.” His words of wisdom, songs around the campfire and genuine caring, made an impact on so many people. It was his calling, so in December of 2020, Bobby and Jodi moved to Burnet, Texas. Not only so he could be closer to the ranch and serve others at a greater capacity, but also to be closer to one of his sons.
Bobby was an incredible father, and so very proud of his children, Corbin Cornelison (wife Stephanie), Cara Cornelison (husband Thomas Lee) and Keegan Cornelison. He loved them, and enjoyed every minute he could spend time with them or talk on the phone. All three of his children followed in his footsteps and served our country in various branches of the military. He was so proud of the adults they had become and the lives they’ve created for themselves. Corbin and Stephanie have two children, Jax and Charlotte, and oh how he loved being “Papa Bob.” They brought him so much joy and so many smiles to his face. He loved watching Jax play hockey and talk to him about the Blackhawks. He loved getting Charlotte’s artwork in the mail and putting them in frames for the walls.
Bobby loved his entire family and all of his friends dearly. He had plans of spending more time with them. He was looking forward to having Jodi’s parents live next door, to help them with their needs, to explore the new community and surrounding areas together, and just truly help them enjoy the rest of their years. He wanted to continue serving through Trinity Oaks, with hopes of touching more lives and helping so many others. He wanted to live to be 100, so he could love Jodi longer. God had other plans though and brought him home.
He was a patriot, a guardian on earth, and now he is our angel and part of God’s Army in Heaven. I know he will continue to live in the hearts of all those that loved him and he left an imprint on. For heroes are remembered, but legends never die.
Bobby Cornelison is survived by his wife (Jodi), his children Corbin Cornelison (Stephanie), Cara (Tom Lee) and Keegan Cornelison; grandchildren Jax and Charlotte Cornelison; brothers Tommy (Jodie) and Dennis (Fran) Cornelison; nephews Alex, Danny, Caden, Griffin and Taylor Cornelison, Tripp Morson; niece Kaity Cornelison; along with many aunts, uncles and cousins that loved him. He is also survived by Jodi’s family; her parents, Ken and Jackie Dallman; her sisters, Heather Campbell and Tori Dallman (John Taylor); his nieces Lyndsay Campbell and Sydney Herrmann; his nephews Rickey Campbell and Trevin Herrmann; and her extended family that all loved him. He also left his behind his “boys,” Stryker and Bogey, and the newest addition he was so excited about, Gipsey Rose, whom no doubt carries his spirit. There are so many family members (blood or otherwise) and friends that are mourning him, all whose lives he had touched. A countless number, and hopefully he is up in Heaven, knowing how greatly he is missed and just how many people he had an impact on.
Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Eulish and Joyce Cornelison, and his beloved chocolate lab, Bear.
Please join us for his visitation at Berryhill Funeral Home in Huntsville, AL on Saturday, February 5th from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. The memorial service will immediately follow.
If you would like to leave a tribute for his family, you are invited to leave stories and photos on the website created for them: Home | Bobby Dean (bobbycornelison.com)
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity he so loved: Trinity Oaks
