Richard Wayne Cornelius

A Gadsden High School graduate, Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Ava Cornelius, and his wife, Elizabeth Ann Cornelius. Survivors include his three children, Randall (Tammy), David (Pam), and Laura McRae; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Richard could fly above the clouds long before he went home to be with the Lord. Among his family, friends, and business associates, he will perhaps be remembered most for his extraverted personality and his passion for flying airplanes. His aeronautical adventures led him to devote countless hours to train and mentor several hundreds of airplane pilots throughout his many years with Shelby County Airport.

Richard got his first flight instructor certification in 1971, and a year later, he was training pilots at the public use airport located four nautical miles (7 km) southeast of Alabaster's central business district. At the same time, he was beginning another phase in his professional life, going to work at Alabama Power's corporate office in Birmingham. As a supervisor for the load dispatchers, he retired from Alabama Power in 1995 with 38 years of service.

Richard was a charter member of the Shelby County Aviation Association, where he served on the board of directors. He also was a member in Alabaster at Westwood Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Richard's life on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home & Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 2-3 p.m., followed by the graveside service at 3 p.m. at the adjoining cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SouthernHeritageFunerals.com for Richard Wayne Cornelius's family.