IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Dave
Cornelius
January 1, 1941 – April 25, 2025
Obituary
Columbus, NC — David "Dave" Raymond Cornelius
, 84, of Columbus, passed away peacefully on April 25th, 2025, at Spartanburg Medical Center.
Born on New Year's Day, 1941, in New York, Dave brought light and laughter into the world from the very beginning. He was the beloved son of the late Jesse Raymond and Gladys Schiffer Cornelius. Dave graduated from WC Mepham High School and later from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA where he met the love of his life. He went on to build a fulfilling 30-year career with CitiCorp, but his true passions were found beyond the office.
Dave lived a life rich in devotion—to his family, to his faith, to his community, and to the things he loved. A lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and Giants (and later the Carolina Panthers), Dave's enjoyment was infectious on game day. He was also deeply committed to giving back. In New York, he served faithfully as treasurer and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown. After moving to Columbus, Dave continued to give generously of his time and talents as treasurer for the Tryon Fine Arts Center, the American Red Cross, and Tryon Rotary Club.
A man of quiet strength and deep integrity, Dave was also a black belt in karate, a passion he pursued for many years with the same dedication he gave every aspect of his life. Above all else, Dave was a family man. He cherished his roles as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—his greatest sources of pride and joy.
Dave is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Gail Cornelius, with whom he shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and partnership. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Diane Jacob (Chris), and son, Brian Cornelius (Sherry); his sister, Gail Cheslock; sister-in-law, Nancy O'Brien; cousin, Linda Gray; his treasured grandchildren, Dylan Jacob, Marisa Cornelius, Sean Cornelius, and Kallie Cornelius; and his great-granddaughter, Evelyn Cornelius. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews: John Cheslock, Angie Martin, Kirk O'Brien, Craig O'Brien, Coleen Fitzgerald, and Kara Cox.
Dave and Gail found a supportive home at Tryon Presbyterian Church, where they were active, cherished members of the congregation.
A memorial service to celebrate Dave's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9th at the Tryon Estates Chapel in Columbus, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, or the Dementia Society of America—causes close to Dave's heart.
Born on New Year's Day, 1941, in New York, Dave brought light and laughter into the world from the very beginning. He was the beloved son of the late Jesse Raymond and Gladys Schiffer Cornelius. Dave graduated from WC Mepham High School and later from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA where he met the love of his life. He went on to build a fulfilling 30-year career with CitiCorp, but his true passions were found beyond the office.
Dave lived a life rich in devotion—to his family, to his faith, to his community, and to the things he loved. A lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and Giants (and later the Carolina Panthers), Dave's enjoyment was infectious on game day. He was also deeply committed to giving back. In New York, he served faithfully as treasurer and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown. After moving to Columbus, Dave continued to give generously of his time and talents as treasurer for the Tryon Fine Arts Center, the American Red Cross, and Tryon Rotary Club.
A man of quiet strength and deep integrity, Dave was also a black belt in karate, a passion he pursued for many years with the same dedication he gave every aspect of his life. Above all else, Dave was a family man. He cherished his roles as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—his greatest sources of pride and joy.
Dave is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Gail Cornelius, with whom he shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and partnership. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Diane Jacob (Chris), and son, Brian Cornelius (Sherry); his sister, Gail Cheslock; sister-in-law, Nancy O'Brien; cousin, Linda Gray; his treasured grandchildren, Dylan Jacob, Marisa Cornelius, Sean Cornelius, and Kallie Cornelius; and his great-granddaughter, Evelyn Cornelius. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews: John Cheslock, Angie Martin, Kirk O'Brien, Craig O'Brien, Coleen Fitzgerald, and Kara Cox.
Dave and Gail found a supportive home at Tryon Presbyterian Church, where they were active, cherished members of the congregation.
A memorial service to celebrate Dave's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9th at the Tryon Estates Chapel in Columbus, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, or the Dementia Society of America—causes close to Dave's heart.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dave Cornelius, please visit our flower store.
Dave Cornelius's Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors