Gerald Cornia

Gerald Dee Cornia, age 65, died May 18, 2013 in Casper with four generations of his women by his side.

Jerry, as he was known, was born September 8, 1947 in Coalville, Utah to Claude and Wilma Bower Cornia. Jerry grew up in Evanston, Wyoming and graduated from Evanston High School in 1965. Jerry was an Eagle Scout and was an All-State Wyoming football defensive lineman for the undefeated 1964 Red Devils season. Jerry also played college football.

Jerry married the love of his life and his eternal companion on April 21st, 1967. They were sealed for Time and All Eternity April 19, 1973 in the Salt Lake City, LDS Temple. They were the parents of two daughters, Lisa and Jill.

Jerry graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and passed the CPA exam on his first attempt in 1970. He worked for Price, Waterhouse in Denver, Colorado before moving to Casper in 1971 in which he worked for Macy and Associates. In 1975, the family moved to Garden City, Kansas for two years and then returned back to Casper, and Jerry returned to his job with Macy and Associates. In 1982 Jerry and Dennis Howard started their own accounting firm, Cornia, Howard, and Company. In 1990, Cornia, Howard, and Company merged to create Porter, Muirhead, Cornia, and Howard, CPAs. Jerry retired from the CPA firm in 2007 and went to work as the Chief Financial Advisor for the McMurray Foundation and Chief Financial Officer for Nerd Gas Company. Jerry retired from the McMurry Foundation and Nerd Gas this last November.

Jerry was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served faithfully in many callings including several bishoprics and in the Casper Wyoming Stake Presidency.
Jerry was past president of Wyoming CPAs and has served on the Seton House Board for the last 20 years and was president several times. He had a special love for Seton House.

Of all the names Jerry had been called over the years, his favorites were Dad and Gramps. He touched many people and was extremely generous with his time and resources. He and his wife were the parents of several foster children and opened their home countless times for many others who were in need of help. He lived by one of his favorite songs, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (The Hollies, 1969). He loved his family, was proud of his heritage, and taught many young men what it means to be an honorable man. He was known for his love of driving fast, golf, and giving his family countless adventures. He frequently sacrificed his own comfort and money to ease a burden, build up someone's esteem, or to make a dream come true.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Casper, his daughter Lisa Cornia Taylor (Barry) of Roosevelt, Utah and his daughter Jill Badell (Nathan) of Dover, Delaware as well as his grandchildren Ben and Kelly Taylor, Kevin Taylor, Katie Taylor, Ben and Bridget Angus, and Alexandra, Sophia, Bryce, and Isabella Badell as well as his three great-grandchildren James, Tyler and Alex Angus with one great-granddaughter due to be born in a couple of months. He is also survived by his mother, Wilma Cornia of Evanston, his sister, Carol Ashton (Denis) of Gilbert, Arizona, his brothers, Paul Cornia (Julie) of Lander and Mike Cornia of Evanston as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Claude Cornia and his sister, Claudia Jean Bills.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 23rd at 10:00 AM at the 7th Street and Missouri LDS church with a public viewing one hour prior to the funeral as well as Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home. Burial will be the next day, Friday, May 24th in Evanston at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Seton House would be appreciated.