Darrel Blair Cornelius

1938 - 2024

Darrel Blair Cornelius

June 15, 1938 - March 22, 2024

COTTAGE GROVE/ORO VALLEY, AZ - Darrel Blair Cornelius passed away on March 22, 2024, in Oro Valley, AZ, after an eight month battle with cancer.

Darrel was born in 1938 in Bradford, PA to Floyd and Arlie Cornelius. He graduated from Bradford High School in 1956 and attended the University of Cincinnati earning Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering in 1961, and a Master of Business Administration in 1969. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Upon graduating from college, Darrel worked for Merrell Pharmaceuticals Company in Cincinnati, followed by Modine Manufacturing in Racine and Kelbe Brothers Equipment Company in Milwaukee and Madison.

In 1987, Darrel founded Cornelius Equipment Company (CEC), initially selling used and reconditioned heavy construction equipment. After a few years he began specializing in new and used shredding-screening equipment for topsoil and other materials, eventually becoming the sales leader of this equipment both in the United States and internationally. Darrel operated CEC until he retired and sold the company in 2006. In 1991 Darrel married Judith (Harried) Cornelius. They had many great adventures together in the U.S. and Europe.

Darrel had a love for the outdoors from an early age, but it was in 2008 when they bought a home in Oro Valley, AZ that he discovered his true passion for hiking. Captivated by the beauty of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Darrel became an accomplished hiker and for many years served as a hike leader with the Sun City Oro Valley hiking club. He hiked the Grand Canyon several times, including a rim-to-rim hike at the age of 80. Darrel had a love for sports and participated in many throughout his life, including football (quarterback of his high school team), tennis, biking, golf, skiing and motocross racing. He also had several hobbies including photography, do-it-yourself home projects and volunteering his handyman skills to help friends, neighbors and give back to the community at large.

Darrel is survived by his wife Judy; son Craig (Rebecca); stepson Kevin Harried (Heather); stepdaughter Kathy (Kerry) Abramson; and grandchildren: Christopher and Patrick Cornelius, Elizabeth (Owen) Carey, Hunter and Ian Harried and Austyn Abramson. He is also survived by his older brother, Fran Cornelius of Salida, CO; former wife Carol (Cornelius) Whiteford; sister-in-law Sheila Carlson-Cornelius; two nieces and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Betty and younger brother Gene.

Darrel is truly missed every day by his family and many friends. Thank you to all that helped him through that tough journey, including the professionals from UW Hospital, Home Health Service and Arizona Blood & Cancer Specialists.

A Celebration of Life, including a casual lunch, will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2024, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Drumlin Residences Community Room, 107 East Reynolds St, Cottage Grove, WI, 53527.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the American Cancer Society.