Joseph Robert Kent Kornegay

Houston resident Joseph Robert Kent Kornegay, 71, died peacefully at his home with his family and friends at his side after a courageous battle with cancer.

A memorial service is at 4 p.m., Thursday, June 16 at Big Lake Baptist Church in Houston at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Big Lake Road. The service will include full military honors provided by the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson Honor Detail.

Joe was born Jan. 15, 1940, in Crestview, Fla., the son of Joseph Alexander and Lola Mae (Kent) Kornegay.

He moved to Alaska in 1971 and resided in Anchorage, Chugiak and Houston, where he lived with his wife, Madeline. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, retiring in 1978.

He worked for K.C. Corp. and other construction companies before opening his own construction companies, Kortec Drafting and later Kornegay Construction.

His family said he was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He would have celebrated his 51st wedding anniversary this year with his wife.

“Joe had a great sense of humor, an amazing spirit and a huge heart that could not be diminished by his illness,” the family wrote. “He had a special gift for making friends and acquaintances feel like family. One of his greatest achievements in life was to pass this gift on to both of his children, Dawn and Kent, and they in turn passed this gift to their families! His attitude toward life has inspired many who knew him to strive to be better people. His passing leaves a tremendous ache in the hearts of his family and friends, but we find comfort in the fact he has found his place with the Lord and that he will continue to watch over and guide us from his place in heaven. He will be missed beyond words!”

Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Madeline Kornegay of Houston; daughter, Dawn and son-in-law Rodney Kinney of Eagle River; and son, Kent and daughter-in-law Debbie Kornegay of Anchorage. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Justin, Ashley, Lynn and Jared Kinney of Eagle River, Kaeli and Colby Farrar of Anchorage and Kyle Kornegay of Anchorage; great-granddaughter, Braelynn of Eagle River; nephew, Scott Hazelrig of Alabama; and the Kinney, Farrar, Kron, Holzer and Jones families of Anchorage and Eagle River.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and brother.

The family would like to express its thanks to Dr. Steven Floerchinger, Dr. Richard Chung and Katmi Oncology Clinic for their care and support to Joe and his family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph Kornegay Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo Bank Eagle River Branch account No. 1330221183, which will help support the Big Lake Baptist Church Laverne Griffin Youth Camp and the Chugiak football and Dimond baseball clubs.