Obituary: Charles Leonard "Charlie" Cornelius

Charles "Charlie" Leonard Cornelius of Cascade, MT passed away at the age of 74 on June 12, 2023, after a long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Denise; sons, Jason (Zara) and Matthew (Amanda); and grandchildren, Mija, Morgan, Isabelle, Ella, David, and Little Charlie.

Charlie was born on November 19, 1948, in Bozeman, MT to Shirley and William. Charlie was the brother of Jim, Susan, and Kathy. Son of a cowboy artist, Charlie learned very early the art of being a ranch-hand himself. He was most alive on the ranch working with his family, and that is where his heart will perpetually reside. He graduated in 1966 from Cascade High School where he received multiple accolades. One of which was being named Cascade's All Time Football Athlete by the Great Falls Tribune three years ago. Charlie attended Montana State University where he received a bachelor's degree in microbiology. He then returned home and worked full time on the ranch with a part time position with the National Air Guard. It was at that time he met Denise. It was love at first sight for her with this redheaded cowboy. She was his camp cook, accountant, the mother to his boys, wife, and love of his life. Their first date was on September 30, 1972. They married on October 9, 1976, and the rest is history. In 1987, Charlie took on a full-time position at the Guard and created a career there achieving Senior Master Sergeant status all while juggling a family and a cattle ranch. He forged many lifelong friendships in the Guard and eventually retired from there in 2008 at the age of 60. 

As a child, Charlie loved to travel around the state with his brother and father while they team roped. Rodeo never interested Charlie, but he sure loved to fish the rivers while Jim and Bill competed. Charlie was an avid fly fisherman his whole life. He dearly loved taking his sons fishing and hunting around Montana. Charlie also loved children, and he volunteered his time for many years coaching Heisey Basketball and instructing hunters' education in Cascade. 

A memorial service will occur later in the summer.