Charles William Corley's Obituary
The Low-Key Giant
CWC 1948-2020
Charles William Corley. The best way to describe Chuck? Low key. Chuck didn't like being a spectacle. With that being said, I'll do my best not to make one of him here.
A self made man, Chuck was born out of poverty and a lack of privilege in the great state of Colorado in 1948. Growing up in Brighton Colorado, to Charles Sr., a WWII sailor & Molly a devout Catholic, he worked hard labor on the Cutler Family farm, bailing hay and doing other various chores for pay. He wrestled competitively in High School, and played on the Varsity football team.
In the late 1960s Chuck found himself as young husband & father at only 18 or 19 years old. Married to Donna Jean, with a new born daughter in tow, he still found a way to achieve higher education while providing for them. However, to his regret, due to childhood injuries, he was not able to serve in the military. No stranger to hard work, he worked multiple manual labor or factory jobs to support a growing family that would see 3 more sons added by the end of the 1970s. He was only about 30 or 31 by this time, and had relocated the family from Colorado to North Texas. As a newly licensed CPA, he began his accounting career, sealing a rich heritage that one could only call legendary. He was a Giant.
Through the 1980s Chuck, with the aid of his loving wife Donna, saw a large family flourish. The consummate provider and caretaker, he saw to his family's best interests, even when the toughest decisions had to be made. Let it be remembered that he could always be counted on. Chuck was real Patriarch through and through. As the 1980s went on, he was having success in his career, and saw his daughter married to a wonderful man and deliver his first grandchild. It was around this time that he and Donna had decided to remodel the Richardson house in Duck Creek and put in a pool as well. Shortly after a second grandchild was delivered, he was felled by tragedy when his wife Donna, shockingly passed away at only 38 years old. He was crushed by this. He overcame so much of life's adversity, to finally achieve some real success and security for his family, only to lose the love of his life.....for a time, he shunned God for it.
The 2 years following Donnas passing were dark years for Chuck. He remodeled a house for her, built a pool she designed, only to have her taken away. This was hard for him to reconcile, a burden also shared by his offspring. Beat, but not beaten, after those 2 years he picked himself up and began searching for a new Mom for his two young sons still living at home. His eldest son had joined the military to proudly serve in Operation Desert Storm and later go on to train reservists in the Army.
By the end of the 1980s Chuck and his 2 youngest sons moved from the Duck Creek House to the Spring Park House. This was a crucial step in putting the past behind him and moving forward with his life. As the 1990s began, it was new era for Chuck and his 2 young boys, in the new house. With a new Corvette, and a fresh outlook, it could be said he lived the life of a successful bachelor, however he was always searching for a new Mother for his sons. He would not find a replacement for Donna. Chuck would also see a 3rd new grandchild born from his daughter.
In the mid 1990s Chuck experienced a test to his integrity when a business partner asked him to aid in a task that was unethical and could cause him the loss of his accounting license. Chuck refused, walked away. The once lucrative business partnership was dissolved. This career setback took several years to recover from. All this time, a single parent, and overcome the loss of his beloved wife, to have a setback like this in his career was devastating for him. Although the cost of integrity came at a high price, he did the right thing no matter how hard it might have been. I respected him the most in this moment and learned this life lesson. He was a Giant.
Once again, Chuck picked himself back up. He climbed out of the darkness, rebuilt his career and laid the foundation for his accounting firm, Charles Corley & Associates that exists today. As the 1990s gave way to the new millennium Chuck was a renewed man. With all of his children grown and moved out he was alone for the first time in decades. Although alone, he was satisfied. He had much pride that his children had grown into such self sufficient, and reliant individuals, steeped from his own legendary heritage. I do believe this was the beginning of the happiest part of his life.
Back on top in his professional life, and a family raised, Chuck took to more recreation, and other fruits life could offer. However he never slowed down in the workplace , he certainly didn't want to get old too fast. He loved life and was finally able to begin enjoying it on his terms, deservedly. However, with that being said, he should never be described as being self serving. He only ever thought of others and touched so many people with his generosity and love over the decades. A staunch conservative, and true patriot, he loved America. He learned to scuba dive and helped rehabilitate American military veterans, injured in Iraq & Afghanistan , through diving. He supported the Wounded Warrior Project and was a member of the Task Force Dagger Foundation. A true believer in noble causes, both large and small, Chuck was a charitable man who, gave freely to those in need. He was a Giant.
As the millennium proceeded, Chuck would see 4 more grandchildren added to his clan. A wise man, with an accountants acumen, he was always looking to the future. He proceeded to make personal wellness and fitness a top priority during this time. Life was best for Chuck now and he didn't want to miss a moment with so much new life coming into the family. It should be said of him that he only wanted to live for his children & their children. All he produced in life was for them. He was a Giant.
With the 2010s drawing to a close, he would see one more grandchild added to a hefty wood pile, but would also suffer a health scare. He had quadruple bypass surgery from a survived heart attack. I believe it was around this time that he allowed God to come back into his life, fully. After his heart attack, he remarked that God saved his life for a reason. God only gave Chuck 2 more years after that. However it could be said, only by those closest to him, during those last two years, he completed his greatest works God had laid out for him to finish. He was fully redeemed by God, a Christian man. Before he died, he would see his family turn to Jesus. I believe this was something he was the most proud of, as he regretted shunning God earlier in life. He was so happy that his children had become followers of Christ. This would only help to prepare them and Chuck for what would come next and all that followed after.
In 2020 he was diagnosed with cancer and died on a Tuesday afternoon. It was fast and had already spread before any preventive measures could be taken. This was much for him to bear. He wanted to live! He didn't want to put his family through the pain of it, the sadness. However, his children were forged from a legendary heritage, and emboldened by the power of Christ! They rallied at around him until he found peace and acceptance. In the days leading up to his passing he was surrounded by his children the whole way, all of which played a special part for Chuck. He loved them all the same. They are his legacy.
Although he was a Giant, I would still say the best way to describe Chuck, was that he was Low key. He was The Low key Giant.
Charles was survived by his Daughter Traci, and her husband, Scott. Sons, Kevin, Nathan and his wife, Donna, & Stephen and his wife, Gwen. His Brothers Marty & Milnor, and 7 beautiful grandchildren. Jessica, Jennifer, William, Ava, Jackson, Thomas, and Robert.
He's now reunited in Heaven with his wife Donna, grandson Jon, his mother Molly, father Charles Sr. and all the others that went before. Together, with Jesus, at His Glorious Table.
A Service for Charles William Corley will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Restland Funeral Home in the Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home located at 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75243
Funeral arrangements for Charles William Corley have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
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