As the day was dawning on a lovely Spring morning, Howard Baxter  Cornett of Independence, better known as Jack, peacefully departed this world on April 25, 2026, at the age of 90 following a short illness. He was born on August 7, 1935, and shared his birthday with his daughters.

He is survived by his children Sharon Paisley and husband Todd, Karen Halsey and husband Phillip, Michael Cornett and wife Sherry, and special friend Carol Roberts. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved granddaughters Dr. Cortney Halsey Jessee and husband Jeremiah, Autumn Halsey Wade and husband Caleb, and Abigail Francesca Paisley, great grandchildren Eliezer James Wade, Rex Corby Jessee, and Rosemary Karen Wade.

He was the son of the late Gayle and Audrey Hines Cornett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Alda Toler, Maxine Hatfield, and Wilda Donaldson. He is survived by his sisters Delta Cornett and husband Jimmy, Nancy Swetland, Peggy Green, and brother Clabie Cornett and wife Jane. He was Uncle Jack to his nieces and nephews and shared a special bond with his nephews Richard Toler, Jimmy Folks, and Bryan Cornett.

Jack was born in Cedar Springs, Virginia and lived most of his life in Comers Rock, Virginia. He attended school in Comers Rock, Coal Mountain, West Virginia and Mt. Hope, West Virginia.  In 1954, at the age of 18, he joined the United States Air Force and served for four years. He was stationed at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York, Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois, England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana, Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, Foster Air Force Base in Victoria, Texas, Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and Ellington Air Force Base in Houston Texas. He worked in the reconnaissance squadron unit.  He often shared stories about hitchhiking home when he was in the Air Force. His stories included how it took him all night to walk across the James River Bridge in Hampton, Virginia, unknowing to him at that time it was the world's longest over-water bridge, and about his coffee freezing before he could drink it when he was on maneuvers during basic training in Geneva, New York. He believed that all males upon turning 18 should be required to enlist in a branch of the service to learn respect, work ethic, how to look presentable, and most importantly an appreciation of veterans and our country.

After he was honorably discharged from the Air Force, he was employed by Briggs Meat Packing Company in Washington, D.C. and delivered products to the White House. He also worked for Higgins Oil Company and was a grading contractor. He ran the Grayson County Landfill for 13 years and created and operated the company Grayson Sanitation until his retirement.

He was a Worshipful Master of the Independence Masonic Lodge number 129.

He loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed thirty happy years fishing off the Sebastian Inlet jetty in Sebastian, Florida with his fishing buddies who became lifelong friends.

Graveside services will be conducted on Tuesday afternoon, April 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the Comers Rock Cemetery.  Military rites will be performed by the Grayson County VFW Post #7726 and the United States Air Force.  The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.

If you wish to make a memorial in Jack's honor, please consider Fishing Olympics for special needs individuals.

Fishing Olympics

New River Wildlife Club

7107 Riverside Drive

Fries, Virginia, 24330.

Please indicate that your memorial is for Fishing Olympics in memory of Jack Cornett on your correspondence.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence, VA is serving the Cornett family.