James “Marshall” Cornett, 75, a retired banker from Hood River, passed away September 7, 2013, surrounded by the love of his family.

Marshall was born October 24, 1937, to Carlo and Bessie (York) Cornett, in Manchester, Kentucky, a special place he would visit throughout his life. At the age of 6, Marshall moved with his parents and sister, Barbara Anne, to pursue farming in Oregon’s Klamath Basin. Marshall attended 12 years of school in Malin, making lifetime friends and participating in sports, FFA, and 4-H. He loved animals and nature. He went on to attend Oregon State University, where he became a lifetime Beaver fan and supporter. He was a member of ROTC and Sigma Pi fraternity, and graduated in 1960 with BS degrees in both Agricultural Engineering and Business.

After graduation Marshall worked for Crown Zellerbach. He soon returned to the Klamath area to help his parents with their farm because they had been badly injured in a car accident. He simultaneously worked at 1st National Bank. Hard work, education, and compassion were some of Marshall’s greatest values. In 1962 Marshall joined the Army, completing his Officer Candidate School in Oklahoma. After his service as a First Lieutenant in Military Intelligence he pursued a long career in banking. He working in the areas of agricultural lending, international banking and regional management for 1st Interstate, Wells Fargo, and Columbia River Bank.

On July 14, 1973, Marshall married the love of his life, Cheryl, and became an immediate father to three girls, adding another daughter to the family in 1975. His daughters adored him and they enjoyed many family adventures together. They lived in Beaverton, moved to Hermiston in 1976, and finally to Hood River in 1985. Marshall didn’t just live in a community; he made it better, becoming involved in organizations such as Rotary, Shriner’s, Elks, the hospital board, and food banks. In addition, he was an active member of the Episcopal Church.

Marshall was an accomplished banker, businessman, and community leader, but family and friends were the foundation of his life. There was nothing he loved more than spending time at his cabin or sharing a 4th of July picnic. He and Cheryl travelled all over the world, and even in the most remote areas Marshall often met someone he knew. He was a man of many friends, with a great ability to share a story or laugh. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, and attending sporting events, whether it was an OSU football game or a grandchild’s first t-ball game. Marshall was a grandfather extraordinaire, always having time to read books, untangle fishing lines, or play just-one-more-game of cribbage. He was always patient and always kind; whatever happened in life was always “No problem.”

Marshall was met in heaven by a multitude of loved ones including his parents, Carlos and Bessie, his grandson Andrew, his brother-in-law Mickey, and his great-nephew Nicholas. Marshall is survived by his wife, Cheryl; sister, Barbara Anne; his daughters and sons-in-law, Lori (Brian) Comer, Shila (Clay) Henderson, Amber (Doug) Schmitt, and Trisha (Calvin) Coy; grandchildren Krista, Tyler, Devon, Levi, Jordan, Brianne, Micaela, Emily, Karina, Grace, Alex, Garrett, Qiulan, Sam, Luke, Landon, Anna, Etame, and Tosca; great-grandchildren, Genevieve, Isabelle, Luca, Dominic, Kendra, Sophia, and Lilly; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 14, 11 a.m., at Riverside Community Church, 317 State St., Hood River, OR; reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Shriner’s Hospital for Children (support.shrinershospitals.org), or St. Mark’s Episcopal Endowment Fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.

Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.