Ronald Lee Cornelius of Altus, Oklahoma, passed away on March 31, 2026, at the age of 89. Born Ronald Lee Cornelius on January 16, 1937, in Big Cabin, OK, to Carrol Cornelius and Dorothy Lee (Hounshell) Cornelius. As a young boy, Ronnie moved with his family to Altus, Oklahoma, where he grew up and spent most of his life. He dedicated his entire career working as a land surveyor with Glenn Briggs and Associates, where he was known for his strong work ethic and commitment to his profession. He was a staple of the surveying community in SW Oklahoma. He once joked that he probably surveyed every property in Altus, twice! In 1969 the State of Oklahoma began licensing Land Surveyors.
He graduated from high school in 1955 and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma. He was raised in the Nazarene Church and remained a devoted Christian throughout his life, holding steadfast to his faith and his deep love for his family. He was a member of The First Baptist Church of Altus and, later in life, attended Cowboy Church at the Jackson County
Fairgrounds. After graduating high school, Ronnie spent a brief time working at Haines Veterinary Clinic in Altus with his best friend Sammy Byrd. The two of them embarked on a lifelong passion of breeding and raising some of the best coon hounds in the state. The dogs they raised were renowned as some of the best bred and highest performing dogs. They competed in all aspects of the little-known sport of competitive hunting. Many of the friendships Ronnie built were around the sport. The sport eventually evolved into raising hunting mules, which provided both support and transportation for their passion. Both prided themselves in their mules almost as much as their dogs He found the same passion that he had in his dogs and mules in Quarter Horses. He and Sue
started raising top level show horses. They drove all over the state showing in western pleasure, halter and showmanship. Every adventure providing another story for him to tell around the
dinner table. Whether it was exaggerated or not is to be determined by history. His one wish was to have a horse out of a World Champion. He achieved that with "Ima". It was one of his most memorable moments.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sue; his son, Burk Cornelius and wife Michelle of Edmond, Oklahoma; his daughter, Rhonda Ellis and husband Don of North Carolina; his granddaughter, Nicole Faircloth and husband Jo; his great-granddaughter, Dellaney Faircloth; and his nieces,
Dee Dee Price of Asher, Oklahoma, and Carol Ann Gardner of Sulphur, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jan Gardner.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Oklahoma Society of Land Surveyors scholarship fund
https://www.osls.org/donations/donate.asp?id=7248
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. April 9, 2026 at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home Chapel, Altus, Oklahoma with Pastor Doug Altom officiating.
Services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To send flowers in memory of Ronald Lee Cornelius, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Funeral
9
Apr
1100 E Tamarack Rd
Altus, OK 73521
Cemetery Details
Location
Altus, Oklahoma
Altus, OK 73521
