James Cornish

James Leslie Cornish, age 78, life-long farmer and long-time resident of Vernon Center, Minnesota and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and more recently Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on June 7, 2026, at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers.

Funeral services are currently pending. 

The son of Robert and Rosella (Jones) Cornish, Jim was born on January 12, 1948. Jim grew up on the family farm in Vernon Center, MN. He was a 1966 graduate of Garden City High School. In May 1967, he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD, as a Medical Services Specialist. He received The Airman’s Medal for his courageous role in the rescue and treatment of the injured crew in a B-52 aircraft crash that occurred during an emergency landing. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on December 9, 1970.

He was united in marriage to Dotty Rydell on June 29, 1968 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. They lived in Vernon Center and raised their daughter and son. On November 29, 1991, he married Terri Henning in Butternut, MN.

Jim earned his pilot’s license during his time in the Air Force and took great joy in flying his Piper Arrow II. He also treasured time spent boating on Gull Lake in Northern Minnesota and had a well-known affection for his John Deere tractors.

In his early retirement, Jim settled in Minneapolis. A devoted fan of both the Twins and the Vikings, he relished watching their games with his friends. Later in retirement, Jim moved to Punta Gorda, Florida. He built a wonderful circle of friends and loved meeting them at Shorties. Jim’s family and friends will miss his distinctive voice and laugh.

Jim is survived by his two children: Christy Lynn Cornish (Ralph Ingrassia), Morristown, NJ and Robert James Cornish (Christine Wyble-Cornish), Jersey City, NJ; four grandchildren: Rosalie Ingrassia, James Cornish Ingrassia, Isabella Cornish and Alexander Cornish; and three nephews: Michael Henderson, Matthew Henderson and Brett Sisto. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Lois Henderson.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Gulf Coast Medical Center for the exceptional care and dignity they showed Jim in his final days, and to all the many friends in Jim’s life that helped make his life fulfilled.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Legion Foundation or Grace United Methodist Church of Vernon Center, MN.