James Cornelius

James Edward Cornelius, 71, died on Monday, September 8, 2008. Jim was born on September 4, 1937, in Hope, Arkansas, the child of Alma and Jessie Cornelius. He graduated from the University Of Arkansas School Of Business, where he established a Working Student Scholarship at the School of Business. In 1992, after working as a claims adjuster with Liberty Mutual and then American Mutual Insurance Company, he founded Cornelius and Associates, Inc, a Maritime insurance company. Jim was President and CEO of Cornelius and Associates until he retired in 2001. Jim was a member of the Mariner Club, the Propellor Club of Houston, The Briar Club, and BraeBurn Country Club, Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the University of Arkansas Alumni Association. He served on the Board of Directors of University State Bank in Houston, Texas. Jim is survived by his wife Suzanne Smaihall Cornelius, his two daughters Catherine Ann Smith and husband, A.T. of Bowie, Maryland: Sara Beth Borchgardt and husband, Doyle of College Station, Texas; his twin grandchildren, Suzanna Grace Borchgardt and Blaine Daniel Borchgardt of College Station, Texas, and grandson, Tommy Smith of Greenville, South Carolina; two sisters, Margaret Polk of Hope, Arkansas, and Margorie Ann McKinny of Logansport, Louisiana, numerous nieces and nephews. Known as "Poppy" by his grandchildren, Jim loved being at his ranch, Cornelius Farms and Ranches, in Brenham, Texas. He loved his cattle, and for a long time was a member of the American Red Poll Association. He was also an avid hunter. The family would like to acknowledge the compassion, warmth and outstanding care he received from the entire staff of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Fondren Building at Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas with special mention to the nurses who opened their hearts to Jim. Also to his exemplary doctors, Dr. Nadim Nasir, Dr. Tapan Rami, Dr. Dolan Das, Dr.Ray Verm, Dr.Gregorio Casar, Dr. Richard Harris, and long time best friend, Dr. Norman Berkman. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 12, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Eben- Ezer Lutheran Church, 356 S. Berlin Road in Brenham, Texas. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dr. Norman Berkman, Houston, Texas. Mr. Jim Humphrey, Mr. Daniel Borchgardt, Mr. Jack Ancone, Mr. Carl Cunningham of Brenham, Texas, Dr. Joe Hardt of Palestine, Texas, Mr. Jimmy Fincher of Hope, Arkansas, and son-in-laws Doyle Borchgardt of College Station, Texas and A.T. Smith of Bowie, Maryland. Friends of the family are invited to the Cornelius Ranch following the services to celebrate Jim''s life. In lieu of usual remembrances, the family has suggested that memorials in be directed to the James E. Cornelius Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made out to the University of Arkansas Foundation and sent to the following address: University of Arkansas Foundation, 1 University of Arkansas Business Building 117, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, or a charity of your choice.