Gerald “Jerry” Cornett, 69, Granby, went to be with the Lord at 4:10 p.m., Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at Medicalodge of Neosho, following a lengthy illness. 

He was born May 24, 1939, in Kansas City, Mo., to Frank Henry Cornett and Mabel Eleanor (Archer) Cornett.

Mr. Cornett was a lifelong resident of the Neosho/Granby area. He served in the National Guard and owned and operated Floor Covering and Home Moving Contractors. He was a Neosho police officer for numerous years and the first Chief of the Newton County Fire Department.  Jerry was the designer of “Willie” the Police Car and “JoJo,” which were designed for the DARE program and to promote awareness in children. He was a member of the Church of Hope, Neosho.

Jerry married Shirley Otten, Jan. 31, 1992, in Miami, Okla. She survives along with two daughters, Karen and husband, Jeff Cullers and Terri and husband, Tom McDonald, Neosho; two sons, Gerald and wife, Terrie Cornett, Diamond and Jeffrey and wife, Sarah Cornett, Webb City; two step-sons, Jamie and wife, Sharon Otten and Steven Otten, Neosho; one step-daughter, Tammy and husband, Dennis Leporin, Pensacola, Fla.; a brother, Rollie Cornett, Texarkana, Texas; three sisters, Doris Sexson, Fairfield Bay, Ark., Vi-Lee Johns and Cynthia Potter, Neosho; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Woodward.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, at Clark Chapel of Memories, with Pastor, Malcolm Mosby and Dr. Jerry Seigel officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, south of Neosho. The Neosho Police and Newton County Sherriff’s departments will provide honors. 

Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Watkins, Jimmy Otten, Chad Duehring, Pat Stuart, Terry Herron and Danny Gordon. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Short and John Tremble.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., today with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the DARE Program, c/o Clark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 66, Neosho, 64850

Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho.