James "Coach" Cornish

James "Coach" Cornish went peacefully to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 25, 2016. Born August 31, 1930, to the late Elvie Henderson and Johnny Cornish, James grew up in the New Hope community near the town of Kilgore, Texas and then settled in Lufkin where he lived out the remainder of his life. He is survived by his wife, Annie M. Cornish of Lufkin, three sons: Dwight Cornish of Fort Worth, Mark Cornish and wife, Sofia and David Cornish, both of Houston; five daughters: Marcia Menefield, Deidre Douglas and husband, BJ, Chequita Cornish, Ida Cornish, Rachel Sampson and husband Frederic, all of Houston; sister-in-laws: Delma Brown and Gwendolyn Moses of Diboll and Linda Fontenot of Baytown; fourteen grandchildren: Sofia Cazares, Mark Cornish Jr., Kathryn Cornish, Lafoscia Maxie and husband Christopher Maxie, Rebekah Douglas, Leah Douglas, Jared Blake, Jonathan Blake, Diara Cornish, Taylor Cornish, Kaylee Cornish, Jordan Jolly, Madysen Sampson, and Frederic Sampson; eleven great grand children, and a lot of nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters: Roy Smith, Reuben Smith, David Smith, Norma Lee Gardner, Frances Martin, Joyce Hensley, and Evelyn LeBlanc. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, "Unc", and friend. As a coach, he brought together people of all races, and taught from the novice to veteran the skills and strategies needed to be successful softball and basketball players, along with teambuilding and sportsmanship. He coached women, men, and co-ed softball teams, a men's basketball team, and umpired for the Parks and Recreation Center for many years. He was a community worker and volunteer in Lufkin, Kilgore, Longview, and the surrounding East Texas area. James was employed years ago at the Sun-N-Pines motel and then his remaining years at the Holiday Inn as a maintenance supervisor until retirement. James was often called a "Jack of all Trades" because he knew how to build, repair, and "put together" just about anything, and was always willing to teach others what he knew. His smile, infectious laughter, and love will be missed by his family and friends.