Obituary: Harold Lee Cornmesser

A memorial service for Harold Lee Cornmesser a 37-year Mason Valley resident, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Lyon County Fairgrounds.

Mr. Cornmesser died Oct. 2 at home in Yerington. He was born in Torrington, Wyo., Jan. 4, 1930, to Vern and Alice Cornmesser. He was 73.

Mr. Cornmesser moved with his family to the Snake River Valley in Ontario, Ore., in 1937 where they lived for several years before moving to Lakeview, Ore. While in Lakeview he worked with his father buying and selling horses. He competed in rodeo in Oregon and Northern California. In 1946, he was hired as a ranch hand by Dell Overton, father of his future bride.

He married Alison Overton in 1950.

They moved to Pleasanton, Calif., in 1953 where he managed a ranch for 13 years.

Mr. Cornmesser moved to the Mason Valley in 1966 where he worked for the Silverado Ranch. In 1981, he build a feed store, which he operated until 1986. From 1986 to 1991, he worked as a carpenter in Mason Valley and operated the ESJ Tire Store until he retired in 2001.

Mr. Cornmesser served as a member of the Lyon County Fair Board for many years.

He raised pigs, enjoyed history, the West, novels and movies.

Among his survivors are his wife of Yerington; sons Bob of Washoe Valley and David of Fallon; daughter Peggy Dennis of Gabbs; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a brother and a sister.

Donations in "Tuffy's memory" may be made to the Lyon County Fair Board, care of Yerington Vineyard Church, 307 Broadway, Yerington, NV 89447. Donations will be used to purchase trees and shrubs for the Fairgrounds.

Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home in Yerington is in charge of arrangements.