John Thomas Corley

John Thomas Corley, 58, went to be with his Lord on February 3, 2026. He was born in Conroe, Texas on June 29, 1967, and lived a life noteworthy for adventure, strong opinions, deep loyalty, sharp humor, and stories that—according to John—were absolutely true, even if they occasionally improved with retelling.

Throughout his life, John was passionate about the outdoors. He galloped through rodeo arenas on roping horses, was a crack shot at skeet, and became an avid and skilled outdoorsman. He hunted and fished far and wide, drawn to wild, challenging places, but was happiest doing so with family or friends on trips to familiar ranches or leases in Texas, Arkansas, or Mexico. John loved the hunt—but he might have loved the campfire stories afterward even more.

He graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1992 and went on to wear many hats throughout his life, all tied together by a common thread of construction. Fresh out of college, John moved to San Antonio and worked as a home builder, earning the Builder of the Year title for David Weekley Homes and beginning a career that would eventually take him across the world.

From 2003 to 2010, John worked for several years as a construction manager in the Green Zone in Baghdad for Kellogg Brown & Root. Friends from that time still speak of the camaraderie and dark humor of life in a war zone—and of John’s steady courage when mortars were falling, his ability to meet fear with humor, and his uncommon gift for comforting others when things felt dire.

After Iraq, John worked in Australia as a project manager for Halliburton before returning home and continuing his career in construction through various roles. Wherever he went, John brought confidence, humor, and an unmistakable presence.

John was smart, funny, stubborn, generous, and deeply loving. His welcoming smile truly lit up his whole face. He never met an opinion he didn’t hold strongly (and share freely), a dog he didn’t pet, or a story he couldn’t tell well. He could argue relentlessly and then turn around and make you laugh at the absurdity of it all. He noticed people, remembered details, and cared more than he sometimes showed.

In recent years, John grew deeply in his faith and was baptized, finding strength and comfort in his relationship with Jesus Christ. He believed in redemption, in grace, and the word of God.

John is survived by his father, Duane T. Corley; his brother, Todd Corley; and his sister, Stephanie Corley.

He is also survived by his aunts, Melissa Matthews, Jeanne Donaldson, and Kimberly Corley; among many loved cousins, he was especially close to Evan Carter, Reuben Simonton, Emily Simonton Jones, Rebekah Simonton, Martin Simonton, Michelle Bunch, and Michael Thornberry; still beloved ex-wives, Kimberly Williams and Nicole Prether; and close friends Gene Womack, Cari Womack, and Stephanie Mihalko Doolan, along with countless others whose lives he impacted—sometimes profoundly, sometimes loudly, and always memorably.

John is now reunited with his beloved mother, Julie Thornberry, and maternal and paternal grandparents, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who went before him—no doubt greeting him with open arms, familiar laughter, and more than a few good stories waiting at the gates of heaven.

Those who knew John will remember his humor, his courage, his love of the outdoors, and his larger-than-life presence. He leaves behind memories that will be shared with laughter, shaking heads, and deep affection—often all at the same time.

John would want you to know that life is meant to be lived fully, faith matters, laughter helps, and always hold tight to those you love.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. A celebration of life will be held March 6 from 4–8 p.m. at Seven Bar Station in New Waverly.