Enterprise, Oregon
Arnold Byron Cornwell, a long-time rancher and farmer on Upper Prairie Creek and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on his ranch March 18, 2007.
Arnold was born in Gordon, Neb., Sept. 6, 1920. He moved to Enterprise with his parents, Iver and Winnie, and his six brothers and sisters in 1930. He graduated from Enterprise High School in 1937. In 1943, he married Elizabeth Ann (Bess) Pecinovsky, and he and his wife had two sons, Jerry and Jim.
Arnold was a successful and hard-working farmer and rancher all his life. He built the family home on his ranch on Upper Prairie Creek in 1951. Arnold took great pride in his skill as a farmer and rancher, attested to by his being named an Honorary FFA State Farmer.
He served on many agricultural-based committees, including ASCS County Committee, Director of the Wallowa Valley Improvement Project and Director of the Tri-County Wool Pool. Arnold retired from active farming in 1982.
Aside from family and his work, some of his happiest times were when he was fishing and hunting in Wallowa County with friends and family. After his retirement, Arnold and Bess enjoyed spending winters in Arizona in their RV. Their participation in the Good Sam Little Swiss Rovers RV club brought them together with many friends.
Arnold is survived by his wife, Bess, his sons Jerry (and wife Connie) and Jim (and wife Linda), three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his brother, Jack, of Joseph and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Iver and Winnie, and by his brothers Ken, Don and Len, and his sisters Mildred (Stone) and Thelma (Morgan).
According to his family, Arnold lived a life of integrity, high moral standard, and hard work, setting a fine example.
Arnold was buried at Prairie Creek Cemetery after a graveside service March 24, 2007.
The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Wallowa Memorial Hospital.
Wallowa County Chieftain, Thursday, March 29, 2007