Darel Ivan Cornwell, age 83, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.
Darel was born December 4, 1935 in Iola, Kansas, the son of Victor and Delores Cornwell. Darel graduated from Iola High School in 1954. He married Jean E. Jones, his high school sweetheart on June 24, 1955.
Darel began a long and successful career with Kroger Company in Lawrence, Kansas, where he started as a meat cutter. Darel worked his way up to a regional advertising manager position with Kroger, which brought him and his wife, Jean, to Overland Park, Kansas where they lived until their retirement.
After a visit to Hot Springs, Darel and Jean loved the area and decided to buy a home and retire. Their life in Hot Springs was active in several ways. They were very active for years with the Tea Party and with the Caring Place. The Caring Place is a facility that helps caregivers with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s. Their special dog Susie Q was an award-winning therapy dog for the Caring place and was loved by all the residents and workers.
Darel loved the Nazarene church he attended and was grateful for his relationship with Pastor Ken and Ruth Carney. He also loved Pastor Conley Henderson and was deeply grateful for the visits by Pastor Jay and Pastor Ken during these difficult last months. Darel expressed an assurance of his faith in Christ and an absolute confidence of the promise of heaven because of Jesus.
Darel was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Delores, his brother Larry, and an infant daughter, Gay Marie. Darel is survived by his wife, Jean (Jones) Cornwell of Hot Springs, his daughter Joy Burch, (Sam) of Clearwater, Florida; Grandchildren Joel Burch of Sandstone, MN.; Justin Burch of Apple Valley, MN.; four great grandchildren, Avila, Immanuel, Evony, and Gianna. They also have 10 step grandchildren and one step great-great grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at First Church of the Nazarene in Hot Springs at 11:00 am on Wednesday July 31, 2019, followed by a visitation time and light lunch at the church.
Memorial contributions received by the family will be given to Nazarene Local Compassionate Ministries or may be sent to the following:
Compassionate Ministries
First Church of the Nazarene
3804 Central Ave.
Hot Springs, AR 71913
(501-525-1343)
