Joe Robert Kornegay

Joe was born and raised in Temple, Texas. He attended Temple schools and at the age of 18 he enlisted with the United States Air Force. He served eight years active duty, left with honors and moved back to Temple. He went to work in Marlin in the lab and attended TJC for 2 years. From there, he located to Houston and was a Lab Technologist at Spring Branch Hospital. In 1970, he married his wife, Kathleen, and they had 2 children. In 1972, he graduated from University of Houston with a bachelor degree in Biology, then he and his family moved to Galveston for a year and in 1975, moved to Winston-Salem NC, where he worked as a technologist in a pediatric kidney research program. In 1977, the moved to Chilton, Texas, where he went back to work in the lab at Marlin VA Hospital. In 1980, he completed a Master Degree in Health Administration from the South West Texas University in New Braunfels. He immediately accepted a 2-year personnel internship in Houston Texas. When completed, he returned back to Chilton and worked in the personnel department at the Waco VA Hospital. He ended his career, in 1994, working at the Marlin CA as the Chief of Personnel. Joe also served in the Air Force Reserves for 21 years.

In 2003, Joe and Kathleen resided in North Las Vegas, NV to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They spent a great deal traveling around the world and with their grandchildren during the summer. He was always planning a new adventure and reached his goal of visiting all 50 states. In the summer of 2023, Joe and Kathleen decided to move back to Temple, Texas to be closer to family.

Joe succeeded his parents, Walter and Geffery (Anthis) Kornegay, sister Jayne (Abraham) Scaline, and son Jarrod Kornegay.

Joe is survived by his wife, Kathleen; daughter, Karen (Tom) Buck and two grandchildren; James and Rachel; sister, and Judy McNabb and four nephews. Also survivors include nephews, Harley and Cole and granddaughter, Hope Kornegay and three great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 11:00 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 3220 South 31st, Temple, Texas 76502. Military grave site service will follow at the Bellwood Memorial Park, 8575 Airport Road, Temple Texas 76502.