Orson Cornia, 90, of Woodruff, Utah, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on April 13. He was born Oct. 23, 1926, in Woodruff, Utah, at their family home. He was the fifth of seven children born to Orson Carter and Helen Marr Atkinson Cornia.
He graduated from South Rich High School in 1945. After graduation, he was drafted and served two years in the Army during World War II.
Orson married Louisa Sundquist on Feb. 21, 1948. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Ogden Temple in 1973. They were married 69 years and are the parents of six children.
Orson has been involved in the family ranch his entire life. The three-generation cattle and sheep operation has been his pride and joy. He loved working with his grandfather, father and uncle, and his wife, kids, and grandkids.
When Orson returned from the military, he went to work at Wahsatch, just outside of Evanston, for Deseret Livestock. After he was married, he went to work as a fireman for the Union Pacific Railroad. His heart was still on the ranch, so he came back and worked with his father until his father’s death. Orson purchased the ranch and continued to work and operate it. Throughout his life, he raised sheep, cattle, horses and many stray pets his grandkids or kids acquired. There have been many family members and friends who worked for him from time to time.
He served in many organizations, including Utah Cattleman’s Association, Agricultural Soil Conservation, Utah Woolgrowers Association, Woodruff Irrigating Company, Woodruff Stock Association, Farm Bureau and American Legion. He was a member of the Church of Jesus of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a high priest. In his younger days, he loved to play basketball with the mutual men’s team.
Throughout his life, he loved hunting, fishing, sports and following his kids and grandkids in rodeo, basketball, wrestling, football and dance to the ends of the world and back. The thing he loved the most was the sport of rodeo. He attended the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in 1984 and loved it. Since 1985, he was able to go to Las Vegas, and he looked forward to it every year. Many of those years he attended the rodeos all 10 performances.
Orson has been the perfect husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend. He was a great example to everyone around him. His handshake was his word. He was well known for his honest, hard work, kindness, love and sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife, Louisa; children Barbara (Dale) Windley, Allen (Darlene) Cornia, Linda (Hardy) Downing, Lisa (Justin) Webb, Jeni (Jared) Davis and daughter-in-law Randee Cornia; 23 grandkids; 54 great-grandkids; and four great-great grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Glen and Hazen Cornia; sisters, Marr and Chloe; son Orson Cornia; and great-grandchildren Carson and Carlee Herbert.
Funeral services will be held at the Woodruff LDS Ward Chapel at noon on Tuesday, April 18. A viewing will be held on Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the church as well as from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Woodruff Cemetery.
The online condolences and guest book may be accessed at www.crandallfhevanston.com.
