Charles "Kelley" Corkern

Charles Kelley Corkern of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away on October 13th, 2021, from a lengthy illness. He was born in Oakdale, Louisiana, on September 9th, 1949. Kelley attended and graduated from Bossier High School, Class of 1967. While attending Bossier High School, he set the Louisiana State Record for the long jump. Upon high school graduation, he then attended college on an academic and athletic scholarship at the University of Arkansas-Monticello where he received his Bachelor of Science in Biology. During the summers while attending college, he worked as a park ranger for the Army Corps of Engineers in Mississippi.

After graduating, he began teaching at Airline High School, in Bossier City, Louisiana, from 1973 until 1989. While teaching at Airline, he continued his education at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he obtained his master’s degree in Ichthyology and Herpetology as well as his Plus 30 in Education. While teaching at Airline High School he was recognized as Louisiana Biology Teacher of the Year. After this, he became an adjunct professor at Bossier Parish Community College, eventually becoming a full-time professor up until his death. Amid all these accomplishments, he became involved with the Louisiana Science and Engineering Fair as a Display and Safety Inspector, and then went on to become the Regional Science Fair Director for Northwest Louisiana. He also became very involved in The International Science and Engineering Fair.

Kelley was very involved in his community as well. He began his journey in civic service, serving as an advisor for the Key Club at AHS, which later led to his involvement with the Kiwanis where he served as Bossier City Kiwanis Club President for two years. He also served as a board member of Bossier Parks and Recreation. In addition, during the summers, he was an advisor and worked with youth alongside his close friend, Tom Carson, at The Rutherford House in Shreveport.

Though he achieved many professional accomplishments, what meant most to him by far was his relationship with God and his family. The building of his family started when he first attended Waller Baptist Church in Bossier City, LA, with his family. It was there where he first met his wife, Beverly Gunderson. God was the focal point of their relationship from the very beginning. Beverly was singing in the choir, and Kelley wanted to know who the pretty blonde singing in the choir was; he was leaving the next day for college. On their second date, Kelley told her that he loved her and would marry her. Beverly told him that she was too young to hear that. He told her that he knew that she was the one he was supposed to be with; they married 3 ½ years after that, in 1970. They were truly blessed as a couple, celebrating almost 52 years of marriage and had two sons, Jon and Jamie, and five grandchildren.

As much as he loved his family, God always came first. His love for God led to his walk with the Lord in his church. For almost fifty years, he served as a Sunday School teacher for various age groups. He served as a faithful Deacon for forty years. He and his wife worked with young, married couples and worked with the youth group as camp counselors. They also helped with the children’s ministry and the senior citizen’s ministry.

Kelley also had a love for the outdoors and camping. Countless hours were spent with his brother L.C. “Corky” Corkern in the woods hunting or on the lake fishing. He looked forward to his yearly camping trips with his family, which over the years included his wife, Beverly, his sons, all his grandchildren, his brother, Corky Corkern, and wife Judy Corkern, brother-in-law, Roger Gunderson, and cousins, C.W. and Lynda Martin.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Kemuel Corkern and Nellie Corkern. He is survived his wife, Beverly Corkern, son, Jon Corkern and wife, Shelly Corkern, and son, Jamie Corkern. His grandchildren Kendall, Drew, Coleman, Case, and Marti Katherine. Brother L.C. “Corky” Corkern and wife Judy Corkern and their children. Brother-in-Law, Roger Gunderson and son.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, between 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Waller Baptist Church, 456 Waller Avenue, Bossier City, LA, 71112. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will Marty Martin, Jeff Martin, Tom Carson, Preston McGee, Ronnie Kelley, and Christopher Gunderson

Kelley would want everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as he is having now in Heaven. If you would like to know more about how to have a relationship with Jesus, the family would like you to reach out to your local church.