He was born in Petersburg, Alaska to Bert Cornelius and Ruth McCorkle Cornelius.  His early passion for cars and motorcycles led him into a career as a mechanic and wheel alignment expert.  A lifelong auto racing fan and participant, he was involved in sprint cars and midgets, and was a member of Golden Wheels Fraternity.

Tom was always ready to lend a hand to someone in need, no matter the time or place.  He had an insatiable curiosity and desire to learn about the world around him.  He was generous and kind with a phenomenal memory, great sense of humor and infectious laugh.  He will be greatly missed by his family and wide circle of friends.

Tom was preceded in death by sisters Ruth Christianson and Berta Stone.  He is survived by a loving extended family, daughters Cathy Waymire-Rooks (Greg), Barbara Keiley (Rob), Cindy Cornelius (Brian Thompson), grandchildren Charlene (Curt Lengfelder) and Rachel Waymire, Tom and Chelsea Keiley, and great granddaughter Bailey Lengfelder.  Also brother-in-law Eric Christianson, nieces and nephews Mike, Lynn, Laurie and Paul, and his longtime partner and companion Vicki Cushman. 

If you'd like you can download and read Tom's eulogy.  You'll need Adobe Acrobat to open the PDF.

In Tom's memory, please consider making a memorial donation to support the American Lung Association.

Please visit the site often as we add new items frequently!
 

A note from Tom's daughter, Barb Keiley:

"My dad wanted people to be aware of lung cancer. He'd put on a hat to hide his balding head and then he would say to me 'Maybe I shouldn't wear a hat, my head doesn't bother me but it may get other people to think about what lung cancer does to you' and he'd hang his hat back on the hook.  He'd never preach to anyone about smoking but he hoped that they would never suffer from the disease as he did.