George S. Corey, Jr.

George is survived by his wife Elizabeth Campbell Corey; one son, John T. Corey, 3 daughters, Mary Annette Corey Nunn (Michael), Shelly L. Theis and Kelly R. Hogan; 2 brothers, Joseph G. Corey, Sr. (Shelia) and Sebra G. Corey (Florence); 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great­grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughters, Margaret Anne Corey Bell-Herndon and Lealia Marie Corey Joyner.

During high school George worked for the Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court, and at a funeral home to gain knowledge of human anatomy before enrolling in college to become a doctor. After graduating from Julia Landon Sr. High School in 1951 George attended the University of Florida, 1951-53, until he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge he continued to follow his ambition to become a funeral director and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1957, where he was a member of the Pi Sigma Eta Professional Fraternity, Alpha Chapter.

In 1963, at age 30, George along with his partner and friend William "Bill" Kerlin founded Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home in the Lake Forest community of Jacksonville. In 1973 they expanded the business when they opened a second funeral home on Cesery Blvd in Arlington. In 1983 they expanded again when they opened a Crematory. They also owned and operated Corey-Kerlin Ambulance Service, Inc. from 1963 until legislated out of business by the City of Jacksonville in 1974. He retired on August 1, 1998, selling the company to employees in lieu of out of state corporations. However, he remained active in the business by continuing to serve families until his passing.

George’s passion for assisting others is also reflected in the list of numerous charity and service organizations where he served. In 1993, with his wife Elizabeth, he was chosen to receive the 12 Who Care Community Service Award and given the American Institute for Public Service "Jefferson Award".

Civitan International:

George joined the Gateway Civitan Club in 1964. He then helped start the Central Civitan Club in 1986 and served as its charter president, for which he was named Distinguished Club President. He then served in every capacity and office including becoming president again in 2002-04 and in 2008-09. In 2008-09 he was again named Distinguished Club President. George served the Summit District as Lt. Governor, Certified Club Builder, Growth Manager, Club Ambassador, New Club Director, Time and Place Chair, Governor Elect, and Governor, 1999-00, Fruit Cake Chairman for Florida District, 2004-08, and Chairman of the Don DeVane Memorial Scholarship Committee, 2004-05. With wife Elizabeth, was the first husband and wife team to be named Master Club Builders in all of Civitan International. In 2002-03 named District Civitan of the Year. George also held memberships in the Civitan International Foundation Shropshire Fellow, a Foundation Fellow in the Civitan International Research Center, Civitan International Freedom Fellow, Junior Civitan Fellow, and a member of the Century Club Civitan International of Canada. He was the recipient of a Club Honor Key and the District Honor Key (3). He was named Club Civitan of the Year and awarded the Honor Award Medal by Central Civitan Club, 2006. Was co-chairman of the Civitan International Convention in Jacksonville and attended over 24 Civitan International Conventions in the US, Canada and Europe (named an honorary Nordsman in Oslo, Norway). He also served as auctioneer at many functions to raise monies for the Civitan International Foundation to help in the funding of the Research Center to find the cause of developmental disabilities of children.

Knights of Columbus:

Charter and Life Member, Past Grand Knight of North Jacksonville Council 5407, Knights of Columbus. Served as District Director under two administrations, Florida District Knights of Columbus. Life Member and Past Faithful Navigator, Ponce deLeon Assembly, 4th Degree, Knights of Columbus.

Northside Business Leaders Club:

Life Member and Past President, 1969, of the Northside Business Leaders Club. In 2011 was named Member of the Year.

Methodist Medical Center Hospice:

Served 12 years on Methodist Medical Center Hospice Board.

Independent Funeral Directors of Florida:

Charter Member and Past President of the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida. He was presented the Distinguished Service Award by the IFDF Board of Directors (2002) and was honored with the W. Clyde Lankford Distinguished Service Award (2004). He served on the board of directors, 2005-10, and served as auctioneer at annual conferences to raise money for the Lamar Danielson Scholarship Fund with over $45,000.00 that was given to students enrolled in Mortuary Science programs and who work for independent funeral firms in Florida.

Duval County 4H Foundation:

After being nominated by the 4H Foundation for his volunteer work, George was named as one of seven finalists for the 2003 Jaguars Community Quarterback Awards which resulted in $1,000.00 being donated to 4H in his name. He set up a booth at the Greater Jacksonville Agriculture Fair for more than 20 years to raise help raise money for the 4H Program in Jacksonville. He was a sponsor/patron for more than 30 years to help the Foundation. In 2005, he was named a member of the board. In 2008, along with his wife Elizabeth, he established the George & Elizabeth Corey Endowment. George was inducted into the Florida 4H Hall of Fame on August 1, 2013. On August 14, 2016, he was selected as Friend of Extension at the 30th Annual Volunteer Recognition Program during National Volunteer Week.

George also served as a member and/or officer of many other organizations such as: Boys and Girls Club of Jacksonville, Opportunity Development Inc., Bethesda Club for the Physically Disabled, and the Civic Roundtable. He was a founding sponsor of the National Museum of the United States Army in Washington, DC and a member of the American Legion Post 283.

George also played Santa Claus for a multitude of children (and adults) for more than 27 years at churches, schools and charitable parties, following in his father's footsteps, who did it for over 20 years.

George enjoyed keeping up with fellow classmates from high school and was chairman of many class reunions. In 2001, at their 50th reunion, he was named Chairman Emeritus by his classmates. He also co-chaired the 55th class reunion cruise, helped organize the class' 60th reunion in 2011, and 65th reunion in 2016.

George’s greatest pastime was traveling, with his wife Elizabeth, in their motor home to see the beautiful areas in the United States (Texas, Colorado, Grand Canyon, Painted Dessert, Petrified Forest, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Missouri, Nevada, etc.) and Canada (Niagara Falls, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, etc.). Taking the train from Toronto to British Columbia and back, cruising Alaska and the Panama Canal, and touring the Hawaiian Islands were also highlights of his travels. His favorite hobby was fishing up and down the east coast, from Fernandina to Key West, and the panhandle of Florida. Hunting in the Osceola National Forest, Camp Blanding area, Ocala National Forest, Nassau County, and South Georgia with friends were also highlights.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 1426 Rowe Ave. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Thursday, September 27, 2018 in the chapel of Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home with Rev. F. Ray Turner officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery (Gate #4) where he will be laid to rest with his parents and daughter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Duval County 4H Foundation, 1010 N. McDuff Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32254-2083;

The Safe Harbor Boys Academy, 4772 Safe Harbor Way, Jacksonville, FL 32226; or,

The Northside Business Leaders Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 28554, Jacksonville, FL 32226.

Quote in high school annual: "The force of his own merit makes his way".

"every LIFE tells a STORY"