Cornelius Golden

Cornelius "Connie" Golden, 90, of California, Mo., passed away Saturday, January 16, 2010 at California Care Center. He was born November 12, 1919, near Houston, Texas, and grew up in the Missouri boot heel. He was the son of Royal S. and Mary Elva (Baxter) Golden, both of whom preceded him in death. He was married December 13, 1941, in Excelsior Springs, Mo., to Ruth Alice Grover, who survives at California Care Center in California, Mo. He was a self taught artist, designer and inventor. Many of the things he created and built earned patents by the companies he worked for over the years, one of them being several patents on the ROBO car wash system in the early 1970's. He was also a pastor for a number of years. He loved the outdoors and taught his children and grandchildren a love and appreciation of all things outdoors, taking them into the woods before they could walk. Survivors include two daughters, Martha Taylor and husband Robert of California, Mo., and Patricia Maddux (husband deceased) of Mozambique, Africa; as well as eight grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters. Funeral services will be held today, Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services in California, Mo. Burial will be at Old Union Christian Union Cemetery near Lawson, Mo. Visitation will be held today, Tuesday, January 19, 2010 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family of Cornelius "Connie" Golden or to the Brazilian Evangelism Association (Pat Maddux), c/o Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 S. Oak, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.