Daniel Earnist Corley

Daniel E (Earnist) Corley died peacefully in his sleep at home on Saturday November 12, at 6:57 a.m. 2022. His family was by his side and he made a point to speak to all his loved ones just days before his death. He lived a full life of 92 years and 8 months. He was known by many to be determined to live as long as possible, overcoming many challenges and obstacles.

He was born on April 26, 1930 in Perry Florida to Mr.& Mrs. Robert Lee Corley. He had two siblings, one older sister Ethel Kathleen and one older brother Charles Lee. He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother and his first wife Naoma Fay, his Brother Charles Lee and Sister Ethel and his youngest daughter Ellen Kathleen Brown.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years Hwa Ja, two daughters, Andria Jordan and Rebecca Vizenor, 8 Grandchildren, 17 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.

Dan attended Grammar School both in St. Andrews and Panama City, Florida, and graduated from Bay County High School in Panama City, Florida.

He joined the Navy in1947 and served in Panama City, Fl., San Diego and Hawaii. He married his high school sweetheart Naoma Fay Harris on July 22 1949. Due to the Korean Conflict, he volunteered for active duty with the US Air Force in 1951. He served in different places around the world including Newfoundland, Greenland, New Mexico, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. He was stationed at several different military bases in the United States where he lived with his wife and 3 daughters such as Florida, New Mexico, and California.

He retired from the Air Force after 21 years with the rank of Master Sergeant. After the Air Force he worked as a Civil Servant at Mather AFB in Sacramento California and retired for a 2nd time in July of 1993, with 25 years of US Civil Service just prior to the base closing. His two careers kept him busy for a total of 46 years serving the public during war and peace time.

In 1977 Daniel lost his dear wife Fay of 28 years to Cancer.

It was while working at Mather he met Hwa Ja Ko thru a workmate and friend. They were married on October 28,1978. They were happily married for 44 years and had just celebrated an anniversary this past October before he passed away on November 12, 2022.

Besides his military career and life altering experiences as a father of 3 girls, Dan lived and saw multiple world events firsthand! He saw Halley’s Comet and the original and only flight of the Spruce Goose in San Diego Ca. He saw 16 Presidents take office. He was born during the Great Depression, WW II, Was born before the planet Pluto was discovered. Saw and used the invention of TV and Computers and the Internet. The Sound Barrier was broken. He witnessed the beginning test flights into Space from Cape Canaveral Florida and eventually land on the moon! He witnessed the atrocities of the war in Vietnam, to the 911 World Trade Center attack, in New York City.

On a personal note, he loved many types of music, from Country, to Jazz and R&B a favorite of his was Ray Charles. He loved working in his garage on anything electrical and loved to play golf when he wasn’t doing what he loved the most fishing, going to breakfast, or visiting with his neighbors next door.

He was a good Husband and father was very proud of his girls and would tell anyone around that they were “Good Girls!” Dan was a friend to many, a good neighbor and, an honest and decent man.

One of the very last things he said with a firm voice was “I have lived a good life, treated others well and I make no apologies for the any of the choices that I have made!

His wife Hwa Ja and his daughters, Andria and Rebecca, and other family and friends will miss him very much!

The family of Dan Corley wishes to express to everyone their deep appreciation for the loving acts of kindness and thoughts expressed during this time of sorrow.