Robert Lavern Cornford

Born June 2, 1932 in San Gabriel, California to Walter Earl and Nina Babe Cornford. He died the evening of Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004 from an extended illness. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at the 4-H Center on End Road in Summerville with Pastor Brent Clapp officiating. Fraternal services will be under the auspices of La Grande Lodge #41 A.F. & A. M. Military Honors and interment will follow at the Summerville Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.


When he was seven they moved to Litchfield, Nebraska and later to Flagstaff, Arizona where he spent several years. He graduated from Flagstaff High School before joining the Marine Corps where he was sent to Korea. After his term in the service he returned home to join his parents in California. He met and married Bobby Jean (Hunter) Alexander in Glendale, California. They were married July 24, 1954 and raised four wonderful children. Bob and Bobbie moved their family to La Grande, Oregon in October 1973, then to Summerville in 1976 were they have resided since.


Through a lifetime of volunteerism, he has been a Boy Scout Leader, President of the Exchange Club of California, Little League Coach in California and Oregon, Master of the Pleasant Grove Grange, Grande Master of the Masonic Lodge #41 in La Grande, a Union-Wallowa-Baker Federal Credit Union Board Member and President of the Rusty Wheels Vintage Car Club were he established friendships with many local enthusiasts.


He was a Union County 4-H Leader for many years and President of the Leaders Association. Bob was also president of the Blue Mountain 4-H Center. 4-H was the highlight of his life, second only to his family. He began the annual Union County 4-H radio auction with Ralph Hart and Jim Huber in the early eighties grossing nearly $1200 a year to start. The auction continues with family leadership today and raises nearly $15,000 a year for the local 4-H organizations.


He was preceded in Death by his mother, father and infant sister, Nina Bernice.
Bob is survived by his wife of nearly fifty years, His brother William Earl Cornford and wife Maxine of Kayenta, Arizona. A daughter, Sherry Marie (Cornford) Nantz, married to Kenneth L. Nantz, with children Emmitt Paul, Keith Patrick, Christopher Kenneth and Andrew Devin Charles. Three sons Walter Lavern Cornford, Married to Terri E. (Werschky) Cornford, and children Shelissia Marie, Anthony Christopher, Eddie Albert, Robert Randal and Steven James. Emmitt Earl Cornford married to Shirley A. (Jones) Cornford, and children Candice Lynann, Katrina Cathleen and Nicholas Owen. Devin Owen Cornford married to Debra J. (Fisher) Cornford and children Nikkita Jean and Gary Leonard. He is also survived by five great grandchildren, one niece and two nephews.

Any donations can be made on behalf of Bob to The Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and the Union County 4-H Leaders Association.

To Bob, "I will miss you and love you until it's my time to leave," Mommy.

You will be missed.