Leo Francis Corrigan Jr.

Leo was born on Oct. 30, 1925, at St. Paul Hospital in Dallas. He graduated from Highland Park High School in May 1943. He began taking classes at Southern Methodist University in the fall of 1943, but World War II and a two-year stint in the U.S. Army interrupted his studies. He returned to the university in 1946, and became a member of the Kappa Alpha order. After graduating from SMU with a business degree in 1948, he joined the family business, Corrigan Properties, a firm that was founded in the early 1920s by his father, real estate developer and investor Leo F. Corrigan Sr.

In his career, Leo Jr. did what few second-generation business leaders are able to do. He assumed the reins of leadership from his father without conflict, and passed them to his children in a smooth transition of ownership. And he did it all with a steady hand and quiet grace.

His marriage to Marilyn Harris Ray in 1952 was the beginning of a truly precious friendship. They were married on May 30, 1953, at The Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, and went on to have five children and nine grandchildren. Leo and Marilyn remained closely involved in the church; all of their children were baptized there and two of them went on to be married there. Leo served as head of the Vestry two times at the church and also was involved at various levels with the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas.

He has quietly but generously supported numerous, meaningful causes, including the establishment of Distinguished Chairs in Pediatric, Breast Cancer and Alzheimer’s Research at UT Southwestern, an endowed Professorship at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, the Dallas Arboretum, and The Lamplighter School. Leo served on SMU's Board of Governors and Board of Trustees and on the boards of numerous civic organizations, including the Dallas YMCA, Camp Grady Spruce, American Red Cross and the Dallas Citizens Council.

Along with a deep faith, serving others and giving back were priorities in the Corrigan home. Leo and Marilyn fostered a loving and supportive environment and, despite business demands, family came first. The couple was supported in their efforts by precious caregivers—Lady Rogers, Stephen Bell, Laura Andino, and Elee Richardson. From the time the children were young, the family has spent a great deal of time at Sandy Creek Ranch in Ravenna, Texas, a tradition that continues to this day. Over the years the children and grandchildren have worked at the ranch and learned about caring for the land.

Leo is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marilyn, and his five children: Leo III and wife Susie; Mary Livingston and husband Pete; David and wife Emily; Catherine; and Alice Carruth and husband Scott. He also leaves behind his sister, Louise Corrigan Jordan, and nine grandchildren: Leo IV, DeWitt, Maggie, Allen, and Harris Corrigan; John and Hannah Livingston; and Emma and Sara Carruth. He was predeceased by his parents, Leo Sr. and Clara (Redman) Corrigan.

A memorial service will be held at The Church of the Incarnation on Tuesday, May 24th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts in Leo's honor be made to the Southwestern Medical Foundation (www.swmedical.org) or Episcopal Diocese of Dallas – The Corrigan Fund(www.dallasdiocese.org).