Jonathan "Jon" Keith Cornwell
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Jonathan "Jon" Keith Cornwell
March 26, 1958 - March 8, 2012
Jonathan Keith Cornwell, born March 26, 1958 in Port Arthur, TX, was the youngest of three sons born to Ruth and Wendell Cornwell. Named after Biblical men like his brothers David and Daniel, he was raised to honor God, Family and Country. When Jonathan was four, the family moved from Groves to Silsbee in 1962 on land that had been in his mother’s family since the 1850’s where his Dad built a new home. Life in Silsbee at what is now fondly referred to as “the home place” was rich in experiences of raising vegetable gardens, mowing the large yard on his Dad’s red Farmall tractor that required a hand crank to start, tending the cows and horses and the many dogs that became the other family members. Whether it was being on the creek in his big brother, David’s boat, riding horses, swimming in the above ground pool that covered the back patio, playing tether ball, numerous games of Horse at the driveway basketball goal, Scrabble around the kitchen table, there was always a great deal to keep you occupied. Attending church several times a week, eating Mother’s delicious dinners prepared sharply at 5:00 PM when his Dad arrived home from work, and large family gatherings at all the holidays which were held at Genia Mama and Charlie Daddy’s home across the pasture and later his own home place, were constant events.
From the earliest childhood days, Jonathan took an interest in living in a world of adventure. He played long hours with an imaginary friend “JJ” and would draw out his exploits on hand sketches of cowboys and Indians, war planes and ships and he collected GI Joe figures. Prince, the family black chow may have inspired his pursuits by the way he guarded the back door so that only immediate family might step over him but a battle of wills was required before anyone else was admitted. Jonathan worked at training Betsy, the family spotted spaniel to fall dead when shot with play guns and ride the see-saw on the backyard swing set. Betsy was perhaps the least disciplined family member who was unwilling to give up her penchant for Genia Mama’s finest hens.
Jonathan played in Little League and was a Cub Scouter. From his junior high school days, he played football, boxed and ran track. He discovered weightlifting around the age of 12 , when he and his brother Danny pooled their resources and bought a set of weights. For his brother, one workout was enough, but for Jonathan it became a passion that would last his lifetime. He read extensively about how to work out, what to eat and how to train. Upon graduation from Silsbee High School in 1976, Jonathan went to Lamar University on a track scholarship to throw the Discus. By the time he was in his early 20’s, his Mr. Atlas physique was primed for competition in body building contests.
His very first job was at Gulf States Utilities, working after school hours in maintenance by the city cemetery in Silsbee. With the money he made from that job, he got his first car… a black sporty Grand Prix that he actually bought out from under brother Dan! Later he bought his first new car, a beautiful red Grand Prix! His next job was with the employer he stayed with for 38 years, Gulf Oil, now known as Chevron Phillips. He started out working as a painter and sandblaster and due to his pursuits of other opportunities, training and dedicated hard work, he advanced to the position of Plant Shift Coordinator, where he was managing a group of 18 workers.
The apple of his eye was his daughter Ashli. He was so proud of her, and no sacrifice was too great for his Ashli. He even learned how to braid her hair, and would brush and braid her hair every night after she took a bath. Ashli remembers him picking her up after school when he wasn’t working and they would go to Casa Ole and talk about her school day and all the drama of the day! Their order every time was the Ambassador plate for Jon and the Laredo for Ashli, always with double beans, no rice! They usually had the same waitress who thought Ashli was so cute! Ashli hated the attention….Jon loved that Ashli hated it! Jon never just gave Ashli advice or told her what to do, he would always tell her a story to give her guidance… and usually at Casa Ole. Some of her favorite memories are of her and her daddy reading the funnies or a book together in the evening, and when she was young they always had to count the pictures too! Ashli and Jon took great trips together, sometimes with other family members and often just the two of them. One of Ashli’s favorite memories is their trip to the Grand Canyon and the helicopter ride over the canyon. Her first time to see snow and have a snow ball fight was with her daddy on a family trip to the Olympic National Forest. At home, there were Nerf guns and Squishies stashed throughout the house in case a Nerf gun fight erupted! As Ashli grew up, Jon cheered her on at her Little Dribblers games, and bought her a hot pink indoor basketball goal for her in case she needed to practice! Ashli played many a game of Horse, 21 and Shoe with her daddy! Jon would even mix her sports drinks for her afterwards! Jon was so proud of Ashli and all of her accomplishments, and of her great faith in God.
Jonathan was a quiet and private person who was committed to doing what was right, he studied facts and honored, respected and served those closest to him. A classmate and neighborhood friend recalled that with a group of friends swimming at the local Blue Hole, Jonathan refused to jump from the railroad trellis because he had promised his Mother that he would not do that. As his Mother and Father advanced in years, he offered his home as a place where they could find greater security and assistance. Daily he checked on their needs and constantly served them with errands to store and trips to the doctor. The vacuum he leaves behind for those that love him is immense.
Jon and Sydney had both had been single for many years. When they met, they both talked about how long they had prayed for God to bring the right person into their lives. Sydney says, “on November 14, 2008, I was given a gift from God…..his name was Jon Cornwell. The day I met Jon, my life changed for the better.” They were married October 9, 2010. Together, they had so much fun, friendship, understanding and unbelievable love. According to Sydney, “we would laugh at all the little funny things about life. We enjoyed our mini vacations, floating in the pool at night, watching the stars and looking for the Space Lab to pass over our pool. Cold weather meant the hot tub or the fire pit. We enjoyed our backyard year round.” They would go outside and realized they were doing activities like watching the birds and wildlife. Sydney admitted, “we promised we were not bird watching, because only ‘old’ people did that!! So every once in a while we would say ‘look at that bird’ and burst into laughter. We always were planning Jon & Sydney time. He always had surprise trips or activities for us to do.”
Jon’s smile was so warm and inviting that he could always make Sydney smile. “He called me his soul mate, I know he was mine. He’s the man I love, admire, and respect in so many different ways. He was someone I was so blessed to have in my life. Every time I looked at him, I saw things that make me love him even more. Jon was the love of my life and I loved sharing life with him. Because of Jon I have had everything I could ever want.”
His funeral service will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee, with burial to follow at Knupple Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be Monday, March 12, 2012, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Broussard’s.
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