Corey Evan Velazquez

VELAZQUEZ, Corey Evan, 39, of Richmond, Virginia, formerly of Harmon, Illinois, died March 3, 2017 at his home, after a brief illness. Corey was born August 10, 1977 at KSB Hospital in Dixon, Illinois. Corey was the son of Joseph L. and Teresa J. (Miller) Velazquez. Corey was a 1996 graduate of Bureau Valley High School. Corey enjoyed farming with his grandfather and dad all through grade school and college. While in high school, he attended Whiteside Area Vocational Center in Sterling, Illinois. There he earned a certificate for automotive repair. In 2000 he graduated from Sauk Valley Community College receiving an Associate in Applied Science. He attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois, where he was president of the Residential Housing Association for two years working with his close friend Quentin Christensen, Vice President of the Residential Housing Association. In 2005, after completing a one year internship at Community General Hospital of Sterling, Illinois. Corey graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Systems Technologies, with minors in Biomedical Technology and Business. In 2004 Corey left Illinois to study abroad at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Nakajo, Japan. While in Japan he met his college “sweetie”, Whitney Eleanor Smith, a student from the University of Mary Washington. Corey worked in a Catholic grade school in Nakajo teaching English to pre-k and kindergarten students. Corey married Whitney Eleanor Smith June 1, 2013. Corey had been a Verizon Wireless employee, working as an Inventory Coordinator for Special Projects and Programs from 2008-2017 in Richmond, Virginia. Survivors include his wife Whitney Eleanor Smith; his parents Joseph L. and Teresa J. (Miller) Velazquez; two brothers, Nathan and Joseph; two sisters: Amy and Tessa; special nephews and nieces, Jenea, Daivon, Daiyondre, Kayden, Kyle, Mena, Letecia, Madison, and Devontai. A special mention of Corey’s mother-in-law Julia (McPhillips) Hill, step father-in-law Collin Hill, father-in-law Michael Smith, brothers-in-law Keenan and Britt Smith, sister-in-law Morrigan and her husband Shawn and son Braedon Smith, and his special aunt and uncle Eric and Elizabeth Gruber and their daughters Kathleen and Genavieve. There are numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Illinois, Virginia and Texas. Corey and Whitney treated all of their nieces and nephews as their own. Visitation for family and friends will be 6-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March, 7, with a 7:00 Celebration of Life to follow at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229. Corey will be laid to rest in Sterling, Illinois soon thereafter with the date of the services to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Corey’s memory to Children Incorporated, 11513 Allecingie Pkwy, North Chesterfield, VA 23235 or childrenincorporated.org.