James Emory Corgan

James “Jim” Emory Corgan, age 96, was born on March 30, 1929, in Essex, MO, and died on January 20, 2026, in Springfield, IL. During a 48-hour hospital stay, he was never alone, and his granddaughter, Melody Galassi, was with him when he died.

James was born, the oldest of four, to David Sanders Corgan and Effie Beulah (Denton) Corgan. His siblings recall he was a kind, attentive brother as they all grew up on their twenty-acre subsistence farm in Southeast MO. Theirs was a home without electricity or indoor plumbing; they picked cotton for $1 dollar per day, planted crops with a mule-drawn plow, and harvested sugar cane. These experiences prepared Jim for a lifetime of building and fixing things, gardening, and solving problems.

Jim attended a one room schoolhouse in Essex and was the proud librarian. While his parents had to leave school in primary grades, they knew education was the key to a better life and sold their farm to raise college funds. Jim was first to leave the farm for the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, where he studied agriculture and education and met Rose Marie Buescher in a dance class. They married in 1949 and raised four children together, living in Lovington, Illinois, Virden, Illinois, Columbia, Missouri, and Springfield, Illinois. Jim and Rose spent 69 years loving, working, traveling, and caring for family, neighbors, community, and country, until Rose died in 2019.

After a stint in the Army as a meat inspector, Jim taught agriculture science and farm shop in Virden, IL, for 35 years. His students learned to farm, care for tools, fix equipment, weld, paint cars…and to do every task with care, devotion, and excellence. When Jim learned female teachers with more years of experience earned less than him, he decided a gender-neutral salary schedule was necessary. He helped bring that idea to life by working with others to establish the Virden Education Association. After retirement, Jim built homes and was a volunteer handyman with Ronald McDonald House.

Rose died in 2019. Jim and Suzanne Knox married in August of 2023. She was a caring wife, and Jim enjoyed her companionship during their too-short time together. He appreciated her love of plants, political views, and tending to their squirrel and bird friends.

Jim was calm, quiet, patient, loyal, and generous. His wit was gentle and his affection deep. He loved children and cherished teaching moments, pausing anytime to share his knowledge and skills. He modeled care for others and was a treasured neighbor, friend, and colleague.

If Jim had a critical thing to say, it was tempered carefully and delivered kindly. He was scientific, logical, careful, and committed to justice. He was anti-violence, pro ERA, and an advocate for racial equality and gay rights. He advised elected officials regularly, with determined letters and calls. He shared his progressive political views readily, asserting that all are equal and deserve education, employment, and economic opportunity.

In addition to his wife, Suzanne, Jim leaves his beloved siblings, Joe Nelson and Mary Anna Corgan; and his children, Wesley Corgan, Lynne Corgan Galassi, Carol Corgan (Jill Grove), and William Corgan (Adrie van Dijk). He always mourned the loss of his youngest sibling, Naomi Ruth (Lovins) Corgan, who died in 2007.

He and Rose loved their seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces far and wide. Jim grew especially close to Jose and Juan Jackson, his youngest great-nephews, while living in Columbia, MO. They kept him engaged post-retirement and were his last students.

Jim leaves us wondering who to call when the car won’t start, the furnace quits, or the door is squeaking. He leaves us wanting one more bit of financial advice, one more tip about the best day to plant tomatoes, one more bowl of ham and beans, one more jar of pimento cheese, one more slice of apple pie. Just one more. His lessons will live on when we tell each other stories about his well-lived life, his kindness, and his life-long devotion to being a good human being.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Beulah June Kane Educational Foundation, Not for Profit 501 (C) 3. This fund, established by Candice Kane, Carol Corgan, and Jill Grove, supports educational endeavors. Please make checks payable to the Beulah June Kane Educational Foundation, and mail to 2308 Amber Court, Springfield, IL 62704.

The family will host a celebration of his life on March 29, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Springfield Motorboat Club, 17 Club Area, Springfield, IL 62712. All are welcome.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.