John moved to heaven peacefully at home with his son and wife at his side on the evening of March 23, 2024. When John came home from the hospital under the care of hospice, he said, “He wanted to see everybody!” So, a steady stream of family and friends visited for the next three days, just as he wanted.
John was a native of San Diego, spending his first few years in La Jolla then in Allied Gardens. He graduated from Hoover High School in 1967 an went on to attend Mesa College. In 1972, he joined the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program and worked at W. G. Ehmcke Sheet Metal Works. Eventually, he purchased the business in 1990 with 4 partners and it became Ehmcke Sheet Metal Corp. His door was always open to all the employees, helping them succeed in Sheet Metal or guiding them in their personal goals when asked.
John always loved sports, and in his younger years, played Little League and Pony League in Allied Gardens. However, he had to stop playing sports after undergoing a major surgery at the age of 14. Nevertheless, he remained a sports enthusiast throughout his life. He and his wife, Marilyn, had season tickets to SDSU football and basketball for over 25 years. John also loved deep sea fishing, something he shared with his father and son. He went on many fishing trips to Playa Hermosa with his father and wife. The long-range fishing trips with his son Derek were always very special to him.
John was predeceased by his parents Jack and Marie Cornell, his sister Paula Assad and his brother Gary Cornell.
John is survived by his wife Marilyn and his son Derek.
John’s Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, April 13th at 11:00 at Awaken Church, El Cajon Campus, 950 N. Second Street, El Cajon, CA 92021.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea, The American Kidney Fund, or to your favorite charity
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