Arthur J. Corley Jr.

Arthur J Corley Jr was born in Holtville, California on December 12, 1923 to Arthur J and Emma Wiggington Corley, the seventh of eight children. He passed away peacefully at his home in Bethany, Oklahoma on Thursday, August 19th. Art is survived by four children, David and Karen Corley of Middlefield, CT, Linda and David Appleman of Tewksbury, MA, Patricia Tilley and Roy Elkins of Walters, OK, and Diana and Paul Strobell of Hamilton, OH, nine grand children, five great grand children, and one sister Margaret Roberts of Kuna, ID. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mickey, an infant son, his parents, four brothers and two sisters.

In 1927 the Corley family moved to Bethany, OK where he grew up, attended school for 12 years, and lived for most of his life. In 1942 Art joined the Navy and served honorably for 3 1/2 years at Salton Sea in Southern California and at Corpus Christi, TX as an aviation metalsmith. In 1948 Art met and married Mickey Hutchins. The two-week love affair remained strong 56 years later, when Mickey passed away in 2004.

In 1948 Art was also appointed to the Railway Mail Service, where he served on lines in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. He was eventually appointed to the Newton & Ft Worth RPO, where he served until 1962 when he was transferred to the Oklahoma City Post Office. After retirement from the Postal Service, Art got his license as an electrical contractor and served as president of Corley Electric and Fire Protection for 20 years.

Early retirement gave Mickey and Art the opportunity to do many of the things that others can only dream of. He loved boating, fishing and traveling and was able to pursue these hobbies extensively. He traveled 48 states plus Alaska, all but 2 provinces of Canada and much of Mexico by motor home and/or car.

Among numerous volunteer services, Art was a member of the Oklahoma City Sail and Power Squadron for 40 years, where he was Past Commander and also served at the District level. Art was known for his quick wit, remarkable knowledge, and endless charitable giving to anyone in need.

Services will be held at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene on Tuesday, August 24th at 10am. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Oklahoma County, 4334 Northwest Expressway, Suite 106, Oklahoma City, OK 73116.

Arrangements under the direction of Bill Merritt Funeral Service, Bethany, OK.