Craig James Cornett

Craig James Cornett, 70, passed away on March 17, 2026. Born on January 5, 1956, in Texas by God, Craig was a loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather whose warmth and wit touched everyone he met. Known for his gift of storytelling and a larger-than-life spirit, he lived with a fierce loyalty to family, country, and the simple codes that guided him. Above all, he was a loving husband of 50 years to his high school sweetheart, a devoted father to two sons, and a proud grandfather of six.

Craig proudly served in the United States Marine Corps, carrying that sense of duty and camaraderie throughout his life. He cherished his 50-year marriage to his high school sweetheart, Joyce, the steady center of every adventure. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, the spirit of Texas, his Irish roots, and classic John Wayne films, passions that often set the backdrop for the stories he told so well. Among his favorites, he would recall losing his hair rescuing his captain from a burning, torpedoed ship while serving in the Marines, a tale delivered with humility, courage, and a twinkle in his eye. He often said, “He lived life by his own rules, and never bothered to read the manual,” and he proved it by raising two fine sons and delighting in six grandchildren who were his pride and joy.

Craig is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce Cornett; his sons, Austin Cornett and Travis Cornett; and his six cherished grandchildren: Daisy, Aiden, Connor, Ashton, Ashlyn, and Quinn. Through the years, he also shared his home with faithful four-legged companions, dogs Rex, Panzer, Stuka, Cheech, Bear, and Ginger, and cats Beauregard, Baby, and Pirate, each a source of laughter and comfort. His family will remember a man who could fill a room with laughter, steady a heart with a word, and make an ordinary day feel like a story worth telling.

The family wishes you to know he went peacefully in his sleep and he was a man of God and is in a better place now. Those who knew Craig are invited to honor him by sharing a favorite story, cheering a Sunday game, watching a classic Western, or simply taking time with the people they love. May his example of devotion, humor, and independence continue to guide us, and may the stories he told—and the life he lived—echo warmly for years to come.