Johnny Cornelison Jr.

M.A. "Johnny" Cornelison, Jr.
March 21, 1936 - January 17, 2016
M. A. "Johnny" Cornelison, Jr., 79, of Grand Junction, passed away on January 17th, peacefully.
Johnny was the older son of Al and Ann Cornelison. His family moved from Oklahoma to California and then settled in Grand Junction. After graduating high school and Mesa College he attended the University of Denver. He served in the Colorado National Guard during this time. In the summertime, Johnny and his friends would fell trees to make ski runs at Old Powderhorn. Johnny then joined the Air Force and trained at Lackland AFB in Texas before he shipped overseas to Germany. Assigned to GEEIA Squadron, he worked in CRYPTO on electronics.
Johnny was an excellent skier and was part of the military Olympic ski team. While stationed in Germany, Johnny fell in love with and married Karin Cornelison. They returned to Grand Junction after the Air Force and Johnny went to work at Grand Junction Steel. Their son, Erik, was born and a few years later their daughter, Christina.
Johnny worked at Grand Junction Steel as a partner and head of purchasing until 1985. Beyond work and family, Johnny believed in giving his time and service to various organizations: Lion's Club, Elk's Club, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Colorado Contractors' Assoc., Nat'l. Assoc. of Purchasing Managers, Mesa State College Foundation, Mesa State Alumni Board and the Colorado River Skippers. Johnny loved the numerous boating adventures he had with friends and family at Lake Powell dating back to the 1970's. For several years he ran rescue on the Memorial Day Friendship Green River cruise.
Johnny is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karin; his son, Erik (Tania); grandsons, Jacob and Lucas; his daughter, Christina (Mike); granddaughter, Nicole; his sister, Marian Unfred and his brother, Bill Cornelison; and nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Mary's and Hospice for their wonderful care.
Services are planned for Saturday, January 23, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Callahan-Edfast, followed by burial and then a wake at the Elk's Club in Grand Junction.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Western Colorado Community College.