Channing Bristol Cornell III

Channing Bristol Cornell, III

October 3, 1936 – May 6, 2026

We have lost our beloved husband, father, brother and friend, and Ukiah has lost one of its most enthusiastic supporters. When Channing and his identical twin brother, Howard, were born to Betty and Channing Cornell Jr., it was said they were possibly the first identical twins to both survive in Ukiah. Their great-great-grandfather was Ezra Cornell, founder of Cornell University.

After graduation from Ukiah High School with the class of 1955, Channing shipped out with the Merchant Marine to Asia before attending San Francisco State where he graduated with a double major in science and business. He then joined the US Navy and graduated from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, serving from 1961-64 and attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Channing began his long career in medical marketing and sales with Johnson & Johnson, then Cutter Laboratories, which became Bayer AG/Miles Laboratories. He then worked in the ostomy field with Cymed and Eastman Medical. In 1997 he and his wife, Diana, decided to retire to his hometown of Ukiah. The “retiring” part didn’t last long before they formed their own ostomy company, Secure Health Products, which they operated from their Redwood Valley home for 25 years.

He felt that his hometown had given him such a good start on his life’s journey and he wanted to give back, concentrating on scholarships to help Ukiah students on their way. He fulfilled that goal on the boards of the Ukiah Host Lions, Mendocino College Foundation, and as President of the Ukiah High School Alumni Association for 25 years. He also served on the governing board of the Ukiah Valley Medical Center and the Ukiah Symphony Association board.

Channing loved sports and any activity that would get him out of doors. He and Howard hunted and flyfished with their dad in the Ukiah hills and Reeves Canyon, camping along Mill Creek and sometimes staying in the Beehive at Lake Leonard. In high school he ran track, played football and began his love of skiing in college. The Sierras were the focus of his passion for outdoor activities and at 13, he and Howard began visiting a family cabin at Wrights Lake. Years later he purchased his own family cabin there, where the fifth generation is still enjoying swimming, fishing, sailing and hiking. He was fascinated by science and the natural world, continually educating himself in them.

Channing was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Channing B. Cornell, Jr., his daughter, Joy Elizabeth, and his cousin, Juliet Clark. He is survived by his wife, Diana, daughters Jennifer (Rick) and Polly (Mark), their mother Joyce (nee Hutchison) Waller, his identical twin brother Howard, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Channing was proud to have come full circle to his hometown to contribute and form the associations and friendships that meant so much to him. Please take the memory of his kind heart, strong spirit and fierce loyalty with you on your journey,

Any contributions in his name should be made to the Ukiah High School Alumni Association, and we will hold a celebration of Channing in the Fall.