Joe D. Cornett, was born on February 28, 1935, in Tulsa Oklahoma to Aaron L. and Rose Mary Cornett.  He passed away on July 8, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, patience, and dedication. Joe was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and educator, known for his unwavering commitment to his family and vocation.

Joe spent much of his youth in Louisiana and served in the United States Army for three years – stationed in Germany.  After teaching and living in Lubbock, Texas for 30 years, he and Elayne retired in Rogers, Arkansas.

Joe's life was marked by his educational career.  He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education at Northwestern in the early 1960s and doctorate in education in 1966 from the University of Arkansas. During his career, he served as both a middle school teacher in Bossier Parish and a professor of education, for 30 years at Texas Tech University, where he was chair for many years of the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership departments in the College of Education. His academic interests led him to specialize in the areas of curriculum, quantitative research design and analysis and statistics.

He authored eight books and over 50 journal articles, monographs and technical reports and was instrumental in Texas Tech's successful move toward Division I Research status. Prior to that, he taught three years at Southeastern Louisiana University and served as a mathematics teacher at Rusheon Junior High in Bossier City. A native of Waterproof, Louisiana, Joe Cornett contributed to Northwestern State University through his alumni status, research and scholarly work in education. He gained national and international reputation in his field. He has been recognized by universities and by scholarly groups for sustained records of published research over three and half decades. His dedication to his work was only surpassed by his love for his family.

Joe is survived by his wife, Nell Elayne Cornett of Denton, TX (formerly Rogers, AR); his son, Jeff Cornett, and daughter-in-law, Valerie Cornett, both of Fort Worth, TX; and his granddaughter, Quincy Cornett, also of Fort Worth, TX.  His granddaughter Logan Cornett lives in Denver, CO and great grandson Milo Cornett, also of Denver.  He is also survived by his daughter, Cara Finger, and her husband, Christian Finger, of Brentwood, TN, along with their children: granddaughters Caroline Finger and Corrine Finger, and grandson Christian Finger. They will forever cherish the memories of his endless patience, gentle guidance, and the countless moments of joy he brought into their lives. Joe was a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration to all who knew him.

In his free time, Joe enjoyed golf and reading.  For many years, he traveled with Elayne, taking as many cruises as possible!  He was a member of First Baptist Church in Rogers, AR. His generosity and kindness will always be treasured by those who knew him.

Joe-Joe, as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren, will be deeply missed, but his legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.