Obituary of Raymond J. Cornforth

Jack took his last flight and left our world very peacefully on Sunday June 25th while surrounded with loving family and friends. Jack came from a very small town in Oklahoma and his love of flying was initially sparked by a couple of $1 airplane rides at the local fair with a kind man and his crop duster airplane. At age 17 He joined the Army Air Corps and started basic training Spring of 1943. Besides learning to be a mechanic, he trained as a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Pilot and graduated in April of 1945 as a Commissioned Officer Rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

After packing parachutes and working as an aircraft mechanic he and a coworker heard there were aircraft mechanics jobs in St Paul, Minnesota so off they went. Jack was hired by Northwest Orient Airlines on February 9, 1948. He worked there for 44 years as a Mechanic, Crew Chief, Flight Engineer, Co Pilot and Captain. He is our real life Captain Jack! Rules mandated that he had to retire from Captain on the Boeing 727 at age 60 in 1985. He was eligible to move up to the Big 747 and spent the last 7 years of his career in the 2nd Officer position flying the Jumbo Jet all over the world. Since the 747 was mainly used for international travel, Jack also had the unique opportunity to become a Colonel as a member of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. CRAF is part of the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense that contracts with selected airlines. He fulfilled his lifelong dream of flying for the military while working at Northwest Airlines and transported military troops and supplies from all over the United States to Bases in Germany, Kuwait and Iraq during Desert Shield and Desert Storm on the NWA 747.

Our Dad Jack was always busy with family, kids, camping, traveling, enjoying the lake with his neighbors, longtime friends, and new friends. Many of them quite often seemed to end their visit with a game of cribbage or four. Jack was always ready to help join in with work or fun and always made it more enjoyable with his gentle smile and great laugh. He was an active member with his church for 69 years, a 73-year Mason, a 65-year American Legion Member honored as a Three- time Past Commander and 30 years as the Post Chaplain for Legion #493.

Jack and Betty met in Washington D.C. when he had transferred there for work with NWA. They eloped in Maryland in 1950 and after several transfers back and forth from Washington D.C. to Holman Field in St Paul they finally settled in Minnesota for the remainder of their lives. Minneapolis – St Paul International Airport became his home base. In 1973 Dad finally found his dream home on the lake and they decided this would be their retirement home. Dad lived there enjoying the lake life for 50 years until this June taking his last ride on his beloved pontoon with family on June 11th.

Jack was loved and respected by young and old, with countless friends and everyone that met Jack just loved him from the moment they met him. He had an easy, gentle, and classy way about him. A true southern gentleman. Always had time to help someone out, take time to sit down and talk and genuinely made you feel so special when you were with him.

Preceded in Death by his wife, Betty, the love of his life for 73 years; His parents Margaret and Charles Cornforth; His Brother Donald Cornforth and his 1st Favorite Son-in law, Lee Bell. Jack is survived by his two children: Ray (Linda) Cornforth and Kathy Bell (John Hepola) Grandkids: Doug (Ashley) Cornforth; Tony (Rachel) Bell; Nickie (Matt) Petite; Brett (Namrata) Cornforth; Sara (Carlos) Zumbado; RJ Cornforth; Mike (Ashley) Cornforth; 12 Great-Grandchildren and many extended family and treasured friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 10 from 4 pm to 8 pm with a 7 pm Masonic Rites Service & Prayers at The Cremation Society of Minnesota 7110 France Ave. So. Edina. MN 55435.

A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held on at Portland Avenue United Methodist Church 8000 Portland Avenue So Bloomington, MN 55420 on Tuesday, July 11 at 10:00 am, Visitation 30 minutes prior, and an 11:00 am Luncheon to follow.

Funeral Procession to Depart from Church at 12:15 to arrive at Cemetery by 12:40 required time before burial service. Jack will receive Full Cemetery Honors Tuesday, July 11 at 1:00 PM at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55450

Dad, you are forever free to soar in the beautiful skies. Forever free to float upon calm waters.