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Ralph E. Cornell, 78, of Waverly, died March 14, 2020, at Camden Clark Medical Center.
Ralph was born November 17, 1941 in Parkersburg, WV and was the son of the late Joseph E. and Mamie Hoffman Cornell.
He retired from DuPont-Washington Works after 34 years of service where he was Chief of the Fire Brigade, a HazMat trainer and led Security.
Ralph was a lifelong community servant and was involved in many organizations which facilitated his ministry of Christ.
He was one of the original members of the Waverly Volunteer Fire Department where he was a first responder on the Willow Island Power Plant catastrophe in 1978, a life changing event that forever transformed his life and the community he lived in.
Ralph was an avid teacher and willing to share and instruct on anything he was knowledgeable about.
He was a certified CPR trainer and spent many years traveling about the region where he taught others this life-saving skill.
He was the President of the Oldie Wheelies 4-Wheeler Club which had close to 300 members.
He served as a Trustee at Pine Grove Baptist Church and chaired the first security team to protect the members of the church.
He was a lifelong, proud member and supporter of the NRA as he was an avid hunter and loved everything about guns and ammo.
He was a lifelong supporter and previous member of the Parkersburg High School Big Red football team including the WV state runner up 1959 football team. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1960 and was always proud to be called a Big Red.
Many knew Ralph by his various nicknames – Rotten Ralph, Butchy or Little Beaver, but his most treasured references were husband, dad, father-in-law and grandad or papaw.
He enjoyed spending most of his time at the family property and cabin in Pleasants County, WV.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Barbara O. Cline Cornell; son Michael Cornell (Holly) of Williamstown; daughter Julie Mason (Keith) of Pittsburgh, PA; grandchildren Michael Cornell (Lindsay), Kathleen Cornell (Logan Cox), Olivia Vecchio, Daniella Vecchio, Jacob Vecchio, Elizabeth Mason, Matthew Mason and Benjamin Mason; great grandchild Asher Cornell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 sisters and a brother.
In Lieu of flowers – the family requests donations be made to the Williamstown High School Track Improvement Fund @ https://tinyurl.com/tq7vhe2
The family would like to thank DaVita in Vienna, WV for their outstanding care and unwavering support of Ralph, Dr. Hamarani and WVU Medicine – Camden Clark Medical Center.
Due to the current health crisis, the family will be having graveside services only, Saturday, March 21, 2020, 11:00 am at Mt Olivet Cemetery, with Pastor Bryan Knight officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.LeavittFuneralHome.com.