Thomas John "Tom" Cornwell was born on September 10, 1955, in Wichita, Kansas, the fourth child of Frank James Cornwell and Joyce Eleanor Swarthout-Cornwell. According to him, he was his moms favorite child. He departed this life on November 14, 2020, at UT Southwestern Hospital in Dallas, Texas, due to complications from the Covid-19 virus. Tom grew up in Irving, Texas, where the family moved to in 1956 for his fathers work. He attended Irving High School and graduated in 1972. He started working at the young age of thirteen doing odd jobs. He started working for Specialty Building Materials and eventually became managing partner. He worked there for 35 years and retired shortly before his 65th birthday on September 10, 2020. Tom married Nancy Kiat-Tan on New Years Eve of 2002. They were married for almost 18 years. Tom was an avid fan of the Cowboys and the Rangers. He loved to travel and was looking forward to visiting more places. He loved Dr. Pepper and horse-racing, collecting rare coins and stories, barbecue and cookies (especially the sugar cookies that his sister, Ann, makes.) He loved music, and he learned to play the piano by ear when he was younger. "Puff the Magic Dragon" was a favorite he played for the family. He loved folk and country music and had a long list of favorites. He was also a history buff who enjoyed war documentaries. He loved holidays and loved to cook, especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving, and he so loved being with family. He loved flowers and planting and birds. He was affectionately called a gnome by the family because of his big smile and ruddy cheeks. It was joked that all he needed was a red cone hat! Over the years, he acquired a small collection of garden gnomes scattered around his home because of this. He loved to laugh and had a lively sense of humor. He was a very caring person, always quick to help, and he had a very generous spirit. He will always be remembered for this, and he wIll be forever missed. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Joyce. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, of Irving, Texas; his stepchildren, Mavreen and her husband, Eric, Merlin, Michael, and Matthew; his brothers, James and his partner, Scherry, Richard and his wife, Cheryl, Robert and his wife, Theda; his sister, Ann and her husband, Tommy; his numerous nieces and nephews, with their spouses and their children; his two pups, Pomie and Trinity; and some stray cats that he adopted. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home, 606 W Airport Freeway, Irving, TX, 75062. to be immediately followed by the burial at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, 1413 E. Irving Boulevard, Irving, Texas. Following the graveside service, family and friends are invited back to Donnelly's for a reception. There will be snacks and a memorial video. Reception is come and go until 7:00 PM and the family will be present. Due to CDC guidelines, it is requested for any guests attending the service to please wear a face mask and practice social distancing. The link to the recording of the funeral service https://youtu.be/61QZfGkmGcw It will be viewable once it finishes uploading. SERVICES Funeral Service

Saturday, November 21, 2020 1:00 PM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home Chapel 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062

Committal Service

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Oak Grove Memorial Gardens 1413 E. Irving Blvd. Irving, TX 75060