It is with heavy hearts the family of John Lamar Corley, Sr., age 84, announce his passing on September 2, 2022, after a short illness.
John was born in Bay County on February 17, 1938. He graduated from Bay High School in 1956. He married his sweetheart Lana Brock in 1963.
John loved music and taught himself as a teenager to read music and play the piano and organ. He enjoyed playing worship hymns for his church, Panama City Seventh Day Adventist Church where he was a member for more than 60 years.
John retired from AT&T as a phone operator in 2000. He enjoyed his retirement, spending time with his grandchildren, taking them often to Disney World as he had done with his own children, and gardening. He and his wife Lana also designed and made award-winning quilts, creating many family heirlooms. John loved the Christmas holidays, hosting family Christmas festivities every year with his wife Lana, making sure the house was lavishly decorated and everyone had many gifts to open that he had lovingly wrapped, and plenty of delicious holiday desserts (his favorite!).
John was preceded in death by: his parents Rufus D. Corley and Allie Scott Corley; sisters Opal Corley Etheridge (Herbert) and Ora Joan Corley; one brother Jessie R. Corley (Mary). John is survived by: his wife of 59 years Lana Brock Corley; son John L. Corley, Jr. (Ruth); daughter Carol Anne Corley; grandchildren Jennifer Corley Greenley, Johnathan Corley, Julia Corley Dohanyos (Steve); great granddaughter Athena Grace Dohanyos; two sisters Mary Nell Corley Butzke (Ed) and Maggie Corley Euzent (Marvin); and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, their spouses, and children.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested donations be made to the Panama City Seventh Day Adventist Church and the American Cancer Society.
The family would like to express profound gratitude and affection to the church family and special friends who supported John and his family during this difficult time. Your faithful friendship, encouraging words, and prayers will never be forgotten, especially Gloria and John Day, Christine Liddle, and Pastor Eddy Nunez. A special thank you to Dr. Jean Belcourt, ICU Gulf Coast Hospital, for his competent and tender care of not only John but his grieving family; and to the expert staff at Vitas Hospice Facility, especially Debbie Adams, John’s night-time nurse, who was with him when he drew his last breath on Earth and informed the family with kindness and compassion.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Panama City Seventh Day Adventist Church, with Pastor Eddy Nunez officiating.
