David Compton Cornelius, 91, of Crosbyton passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023. He was born on June 11, 1931 in Crosby County to D.H. and Bessie Cornelius.

Compton graduated from Crosbyton High School and attended Texas Tech University for 2 ½ years, and served in the Air Force for four years during the Korean War. Compton graduated from Gunnery School and was immediately made an active corporal in charge of a squadron. He was 19 years old. During his service, Compton was a gunner for a Strategic Air Command A-bomb crew. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant, Tech Sergeant, and completed his service as a Master Sergeant. He flew over 20 missions. He then married his high school sweetheart, Ann Covington, and they returned to Crosbyton to operate the family farm.

Mr. Cornelius was an original member of the Board of Directors of Associated Cotton Growers Inc. and was one of the creative individuals who put together the initial merger, when Associated Cotton Growers was created in 1972. He was a Director and Executive Board member of Farmer's Coop Compress, a Delegate Body member of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association and served as Chairman of the Pool Committee.

Compton was Director for the Texas Agricultural Coop Council. In 2000, he was selected by the United States Secretary of Agriculture to represent the farmers of the South Plains of Texas as a member to the National Cotton Board.

In March of 2001, in Galveston, Texas, he received the prestigious honor of being named "Cooperator of the Year" by the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council.

Mr. Cornelius was a member of the Texas Tech Alumni Association and the Red Raider Club. Compton served on the boards of the Crosbyton Independent School District, the United Methodist Church, Crosby County Fuel Association, and the White River Municipal Water District.

Compton is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ann and his three daughters; D'Ann Davis and husband Marty, M'Lou Simpson and husband Joe and L'Rae Karr and husband Robby. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren; Marsha Leach and husband Greg of Pleasanton; Kayla Vinson and husband Tyler of Abilene; Amy Simpson of Dallas; Rusty Simpson and wife Nicole of Lubbock; Michael Simpson of Dallas; Bradley Karr of Lubbock and Brett Karr of Lubbock; and his four great-grandsons, Pierce and Parker Leach; and Luke and Drew Simpson.

Compton was preceded in death by his parents, brother Billie Cornelius, and sisters Dorothy Williams and Oretha Hefner.

The family suggests memorials to Crosbyton Methodist Church, 416 W. Main, Crosbyton, TX 79322, or Crosbyton Senior Citizens, 119 N. Berkshire in Crosbyton.