James Oliver Cornforth
June 13, 1915 - October 18, 2017
Beloved father passed on to Life's next stage on Oct. 18, 2017. He is now resting in peace with his wife, Ethel Lois, of 67 years. Born a 102 years ago on a farm in Navina Oklahoma, he was one of five sons and one daughter born to Charles and Elsie Cornforth. He attended one year at Central Oklahoma Teachers College where he met his future wife, Ethel Lois. In the 1930's he rode a Harley Davidson to Southern California to join his brother and family. Jim worked in the packing sheds and on farms in Orange and San Diego counties until he enlisted in the Army in 1941. He was a half track driver for officers in Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment. He participated in the British/American African invasion of Tunisia. He was captured by Rommel's Afrika Corp and spent the rest of the war in POW camps in Italy and Germany. During May 1945, in advance of the Russian Army, he and others fled from Stalag 3A at Luckenwald, across the Elbe River to the waiting American ambulances. After the war he came home and married Ethel Lois and they settled in Pomona, Ca. They raised a family of two daughters. In 1950 they joined Trinity Methodist Church where Jim was a long time usher. He worked for the California State Correctional Men's Institute and after 30 years retired. He enjoyed traveling, seeing family, Angels baseball, Oklahoma University Football and reading the Bible. He was honored this year by the publication of a novel written by his niece Joan King, for which he was the inspiration. Jim is survived by his daughter Janell Cornforth and her husband Paul Bickner, son-in-law Craig Davidson and many nieces and nephews. The service will be held on Oct. 31, 2017 at Trinity Methodist Church in Pomona followed by internment at the Riverside National Cemetery. He will be given military honors.
June 13, 1915 - October 18, 2017
Beloved father passed on to Life's next stage on Oct. 18, 2017. He is now resting in peace with his wife, Ethel Lois, of 67 years. Born a 102 years ago on a farm in Navina Oklahoma, he was one of five sons and one daughter born to Charles and Elsie Cornforth. He attended one year at Central Oklahoma Teachers College where he met his future wife, Ethel Lois. In the 1930's he rode a Harley Davidson to Southern California to join his brother and family. Jim worked in the packing sheds and on farms in Orange and San Diego counties until he enlisted in the Army in 1941. He was a half track driver for officers in Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment. He participated in the British/American African invasion of Tunisia. He was captured by Rommel's Afrika Corp and spent the rest of the war in POW camps in Italy and Germany. During May 1945, in advance of the Russian Army, he and others fled from Stalag 3A at Luckenwald, across the Elbe River to the waiting American ambulances. After the war he came home and married Ethel Lois and they settled in Pomona, Ca. They raised a family of two daughters. In 1950 they joined Trinity Methodist Church where Jim was a long time usher. He worked for the California State Correctional Men's Institute and after 30 years retired. He enjoyed traveling, seeing family, Angels baseball, Oklahoma University Football and reading the Bible. He was honored this year by the publication of a novel written by his niece Joan King, for which he was the inspiration. Jim is survived by his daughter Janell Cornforth and her husband Paul Bickner, son-in-law Craig Davidson and many nieces and nephews. The service will be held on Oct. 31, 2017 at Trinity Methodist Church in Pomona followed by internment at the Riverside National Cemetery. He will be given military honors.
James Oliver Cornforth
June 13, 1915 - October 18, 2017
Beloved father passed on to Life's next stage on Oct. 18, 2017. He is now resting in peace with his wife, Ethel Lois, of 67 years. Born a 102 years ago on a farm in Navina Oklahoma, he was one of five sons and one daughter born to Charles and Elsie Cornforth. He attended one year at Central Oklahoma Teachers College where he met his future wife, Ethel Lois. In the 1930's he rode a Harley Davidson to Southern California to join his brother and family. Jim worked in the packing sheds and on farms in Orange and San Diego counties until he enlisted in the Army in 1941. He was a half track driver for officers in Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment. He participated in the British/American African invasion of Tunisia. He was captured by Rommel's Afrika Corp and spent the rest of the war in POW camps in Italy and Germany. During May 1945, in advance of the Russian Army, he and others fled from Stalag 3A at Luckenwald, across the Elbe River to the waiting American ambulances. After the war he came home and married Ethel Lois and they settled in Pomona, Ca. They raised a family of two daughters. In 1950 they joined Trinity Methodist Church where Jim was a long time usher. He worked for the California State Correctional Men's Institute and after 30 years retired. He enjoyed traveling, seeing family, Angels baseball, Oklahoma University Football and reading the Bible. He was honored this year by the publication of a novel written by his niece Joan King, for which he was the inspiration. Jim is survived by his daughter Janell Cornforth and her husband Paul Bickner, son-in-law Craig Davidson and many nieces and nephews. The service will be held on Oct. 31, 2017 at Trinity Methodist Church in Pomona followed by internment at the Riverside National Cemetery. He will be given military honors.
June 13, 1915 - October 18, 2017
Beloved father passed on to Life's next stage on Oct. 18, 2017. He is now resting in peace with his wife, Ethel Lois, of 67 years. Born a 102 years ago on a farm in Navina Oklahoma, he was one of five sons and one daughter born to Charles and Elsie Cornforth. He attended one year at Central Oklahoma Teachers College where he met his future wife, Ethel Lois. In the 1930's he rode a Harley Davidson to Southern California to join his brother and family. Jim worked in the packing sheds and on farms in Orange and San Diego counties until he enlisted in the Army in 1941. He was a half track driver for officers in Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment. He participated in the British/American African invasion of Tunisia. He was captured by Rommel's Afrika Corp and spent the rest of the war in POW camps in Italy and Germany. During May 1945, in advance of the Russian Army, he and others fled from Stalag 3A at Luckenwald, across the Elbe River to the waiting American ambulances. After the war he came home and married Ethel Lois and they settled in Pomona, Ca. They raised a family of two daughters. In 1950 they joined Trinity Methodist Church where Jim was a long time usher. He worked for the California State Correctional Men's Institute and after 30 years retired. He enjoyed traveling, seeing family, Angels baseball, Oklahoma University Football and reading the Bible. He was honored this year by the publication of a novel written by his niece Joan King, for which he was the inspiration. Jim is survived by his daughter Janell Cornforth and her husband Paul Bickner, son-in-law Craig Davidson and many nieces and nephews. The service will be held on Oct. 31, 2017 at Trinity Methodist Church in Pomona followed by internment at the Riverside National Cemetery. He will be given military honors.
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