Cornelia James

Cornelia “Corky” Taif James Corky, as she was so affectionately known, was born in Munich, Germany on February 9, 1958. She passed away in Fort Worth on October 28, 2017. She was the daughter of Lewis Kocher Jr. and Hilda Kocher. She was born to a father who was in the US Air Force and stationed in Germany where he met Hilda who was a German citizen. At the age of 6, Corky was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Taif of Fort Worth, Texas. In her twenties she met and married Scott James. To this union, two beautiful children were born, Leandra and Cody James. Corky and Scott shared a wonderful marriage for 26 years until Scott’s sudden passing in March, 2003. Corky was employed at the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center for 10 years. She was an Administrative Support Specialist with facilities management. Her job responsibilities consisted of budgeting and fiscal accounting. She took an early retirement in November, 2003. Most recently she worked with HortiCare as a Plant Care Technician. She worked in this capacity for 10 years. Corky’s passion was the plant health care Industry. She loved sharing her vast knowledge and demonstrating her abilities in the industry. She was known for being great with the customers. She became an avid historical researcher especially as it related to trees. She made valuable contributions relating to horticulture in Fort Worth. She helped designate 20 Fort Worth Heritage Trees and 4 Famous Trees of Texas. Corky assisted with data collection, historical research, and photography as a contribution to a book for the Centennial Celebration of Lake Worth, The Trees of Our Lake. She became very interested in in the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps and led a group of people in the documentation of the remaining structures that were built by the CCC in the Lake Worth area. She produced a pictured data document on her study. She also co-authored a book on the life of a CCC enrollee and the CCC program. In 2016 she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver. In early 2017 her body began to show symptoms of her illness. She was a very strong willed and determined woman. She continued to work and go about daily life as best as she could despite her physical struggles and disabilities. Corky spent many years trying to locate her biological father; to no avail. She solicited the help of the military, but his dog tag was needed to assist in the search. For many years Corky attempted to locate her father’s dog tag in order to fulfill her wish of reuniting with him. She succeeded in finding the dog tag just a few days before her untimely passing. SURVIVORS – She leaves to cherish in her memory a daughter, Leandra Hendrix, and her husband Josh Hendrix, her son Cody James, and two grandchildren, Anthony Landrum and Emma James. She also leaves behind her supportive partner in life Wes Culwell, niece Angela Krause, her loyal dog Samsie and two grand doggies Ricky & Lucy.   REMEMBRANCE 6-9 pm, Friday, November 17, 2017 Lake Worth Sailing Club, 8900 Sunrise Point Ct, Fort Worth, TX 76135 A casual Celebration of Life, some food provided   MEMORIAL TREE PLANTING 11 am, Saturday, November 18, 2017 9209 Heron Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76108 MEMORIALS In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to a tree related organization such as the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council or the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge as she highly supported tree preservation.