Colonel Roger Wade Cornelius, 73, of Huntsville, AL went home to His Lord on Wednesday November 29, 2023, at Floyd E. “Tut” Fann Veterans Home.
Roger was born on Sept 12, 1950, in Wooster, Ohio. Family photos reveal an idyllic 1950s childhood playing cowboy, riding in his wagon, and playing with Lionel trains under the Christmas tree. Roger graduated from Wooster High School in 1968. He was active in the Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
In 1972, Roger graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with a BS degree in History Education. He married the love of his life, Debbie Cope, on August 19, 1972. In 1975, he graduated from Akron Law School and proceeded to enter the Army Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) in January 1976.
Home is where the Army sends you. Roger and Debbie made a home at duty stations in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Redstone Arsenal, AL, Fort Monmouth, NJ, Washington, DC, Charlottesville, VA, and Frankfurt, Germany. After 27 years as a career JAG officer, Roger retired from the Army in 2002. He started his second career as a Civilian Contract Law Attorney in the AMCOM Legal office at Redstone Arsenal where he remained until his second retirement in 2020.
Roger is remembered for his passionate love of God, country, and others demonstrated in his life of service. He received Christ as his Lord and Savior in February of 1977. As Roger grew in wisdom and knowledge with God, he spent many years teaching Sunday School to children, teens, and adults of all ages. He was involved in Officers’ Christian Fellowship where he led Bible studies. Roger was often requested to teach on the challenging subjects of prophecy in Revelation and Daniel. He was a faithful prayer warrior praying for everyone and anyone he encountered in his daily life. Love God and love others was his greatest duty assignment.
From playing strategy board games and Lionel trains with nephews to a life dedicated to the pursuit of personal connection and knowledge, honor and tradition guided Roger’s life. Roger nurtured a meaningful tradition of Christmas sugar cookies with everyone he loved. You may have received cookies as a gift or cherish time learning the craft from Roger himself. Roger’s selfless sacrifices and gentle instructions in life and duty remain with all that knew him. His legacy lives with tradition and honor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wade Cornelius and Georgene Keim Cornelius, and his sister, Zoe Ann Wilson, all of Wooster, OH.
Roger is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Debbie Cornelius of Huntsville; his brother, Jeff (Chris) Cornelius of Key Largo, FL; and his beloved nephews and niece.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Whitesburg Baptist Church South Campus at 7300 Whitesburg Dr, Huntsville, AL 35802. A Celebration of Life Service follows at 12 p.m. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger’s name may be made to: Advancing Native Missions, PO Box 29, Afton, VA 22920. (https://advancingnativemissions.com/)
