Dean Cornell, 74, of Jamestown, ND, passed away on August 17, 2025, following a long battle with cancer. He was born on April 27, 1951, in Aberdeen, SD, to Neal and Violet Cornell. He grew up in nearby Bath, where his parents owned the Bath Corner Cafe. A spirited athlete, he excelled in varsity baseball, basketball, and track. He also loved building go-karts, repairing motorcycles, and working on cars—a passion for tinkering that never left him.

In 1979, Dean married Beth, and together they raised two children. He was deeply proud of them: Jeffrey, a retired USAF aircraft mechanic, and Anita, whom he affectionately nicknamed Annie, a nurse specializing in cardiovascular care.

Dean worked throughout his life in the construction and trucking industries. Known as a skilled carpenter and true jack-of-all-trades, he could fix nearly anything and always found a creative solution with the tools he had on hand.

He loved the outdoors—camping, fishing, swimming, target shooting, and tennis. An excellent cook, he could turn any ingredients into a meal and especially loved firing up the grill for family and friends. Saturday nights often found him at the Jamestown Speedway or enjoying concerts, from local performers to big-name rock ’n’ roll acts. Classic rock provided the soundtrack to many of his days, and over the years he built an impressive collection of albums and guitars that reflected his passion for the music.

His adventurous, fun-loving spirit brought energy wherever he went and will live on through his children, family, and friends.

Dean is survived by his son Jeffrey (Stacy) Cornell; daughter Anita (Geoff) Hoekstra; five grandchildren, Lance, Reia, and Anthony Cornell, Ellison and Ethan Hoekstra; sisters Kathi Tompkins, Becky (Gene) Wahl, and Janine Lux; brother Jon Cornell; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Neal and Violet.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, at Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown. The family welcomes friends to join in honoring Dean’s life with fellowship to follow. 

Arrangements are by Eddy Funeral Home.