George W. Cornelius

George Cornelius of Tampa, Florida passed away at his home on December 5th, 2021. He was a Vietnam war veteran, entrepreneur, husband, father, and a bright light to whomever met him. Humble, hardworking, loving, and faithful he dedicated his life to watching others succeed. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy for his wife, JoAnn Cornelius, and his three daughters, Ericka Axelsson, Elizabeth Hay, and Carrie Scheeler.

Born August 13th 1949 in Goshen, New York, George came from humble beginnings. Right out of high school George enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to Vietnam to serve our country. In Vietnam George was attacked by a military missile. Because of the blast he was left with a piece of shrapnel in his heart which somehow, he learned to live with for the duration of his life. With a well-deserved Purple Heart George went on to build a successful business which was known throughout Tampa Bay in the 90s and early 2000s for their expertise in digital communications and the impact on community in Tampa.

In his free time, George would use his magical smile to light up the lives of those he loved most. George was a loving husband who adored his wife JoAnn. He was also a proud father who doted on his daughters and twelve grandchildren Amanda Newton, Matthew Newton, Curt Scheeler, Annie Axelsson, Thomas Hay, John-Paul Hay, Mina Axelsson, Madison Scheeler, William Hay, Claire Hay, Mary Hay, and Emily Hay and niece Stacy Cornelius.

George enjoyed hiking, nature, woodworking, building anything, football, family, and good food. Because of his time in the Army, George was committed to teaching the lessons of service, honor, hard work, and faith to those who were willing to learn.

In the final years of his life George dedicated his time and talent to bolstering Palma Ceia United Methodist Church & Day School’s technology infrastructure which was, at the time, visionary thinking for what we all know now as a necessary way to interact with our communities.

ALS took George’s ability to move and communicate at the end, but God continued to lift him up through his Word. The family is at rest knowing he is running free in heaven and finds encouragement in the verse from 2 Timothy 4:7 which describes George’s journey well, “I have fought the good fight, I have run the good race, I have kept the faith.”

A celebration of life will be held at Palma Ceia United Methodist Church at 2pm on December 21st. George will come to rest at his final resting spot with honors at Arlington National Cemetery on a future date. To attend the Celebration of Life via livestream go to the church’s website, palmaceiaumc.org for the link to the livestream.

In lieu of flowers please consider sending donations to the development of the GW Cornelius Veteran Entrepreneur Fund that will be established in his name to help veteran entrepreneurs received small grants to start their businesses just like George did.

To donate and help carry on the legacy of George Cornelius visit Go Fund me at https://www.gofundme.com/create/fundraiser/story/the-gw-cornelius-veteran-entrepreneur-fund