Douglas Cornelison

Douglas Cornelison, 64, passed away at Billings Clinic Hospital in Billings, MT on December 14, 2023. Doug was born in Billings, MT on December 29, 1958 to Jeanine (Willman) Cornelison. Not long after Doug was born, Jeanine moved to Powell, WY, where Doug grew up. He spent a lot of time with his grandparents, Ruth and Knute Willman, in Billings as a child. Doug graduated from Powell High School in 1977. After graduation, Doug and Jeanine lived in Germany for two years. During this time, Doug enjoyed traveling around Europe.

Once back in the states, Doug lived in Billings, MT for a time, before moving to Denver, CO in the early 1980's. Doug graduated with an associates degree in Electronics/Computer Design while in Denver. His career was as a Network Engineer in IT. Doug also began dating his wife, Melanie Geis, in Denver. They married in May of 1984, and made their family home in Conifer, CO. Doug and Melanie had their first daughter, Katelin, in 1991, and their second daughter, Reesa, in 1994. Doug absolutely loved being a father to his girls. The family eventually resettled in Elizabeth, CO in 2000, while Doug continued to work in IT in the Denver metro area. Doug's wife, Melanie, passed away in 2008. Doug became an amazing single father to his daughters during this time. Doug and Reesa moved to Billings, MT in 2011 to be closer to Jeanine. Doug's granddaughter, Julianna, was born to Reesa in 2015. Doug absolutely loved being Papa Doug to Julianna, and helped care for her a lot of the time. Doug also cared for his mother, Jeanine, until she passed in 2022.

Doug loved rock music, and taught himself guitar at a young age. Doug's interests also included computer science, astronomy, and airplanes. Doug also loved animals, and had cats the majority of his life. Doug unquestionably loved his family more than anything, and was always incredibly supportive of his daughters. His daughters and granddaughter will miss him more than words can describe.

Doug is preceded in death by his wife, Melanie Geis; and mother, Jeanine Cornelison. Doug is survived by his daughters, Katelin (Alec) Cornelison and Reesa Cornelison; and his granddaughter, Julianna Nay.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Billings Clinic ICU team, as they did an incredible job of supporting Doug and his daughters during this difficult time.

The family will be having a private celebration of life on January 20, 2024 in Colorado. If interested in attending, please email his daughter, Katelin, at krcor2@gmail.com.

In lieu of sending the family flowers, please consider donating to Harley's Hope Foundation, which works to keep pets with their people, at https://www.harleys-hopefoundation.org/.