Richard E. Cork

Richard Earl Cork, age 64, of Cullman, Alabama and formerly of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away Thursday night, July 7, 2011. Over a period of 33 years, he was a car salesman at several Ford dealerships in the Birmingham area. He worked for the Israel family at Adamson Ford from 1984-2006. He held several positions at the dealership, including new car sales manager, general sales manager, and eventually general manager. He also was a partner in the Auto Credit Finance Company and founded Absolutely Advertising, an in-house advertising agency for the dealership. Richard was the first person to bring automotive infomercials to Birmingham. He frequently represented Adamson in the Birmingham Ford Dealer Advertising Fund. According to Bill Israel, Richard had a larger than life persona with extraordinary energy and passion for life. These characteristics made him critical to the success of Adamson during his 12-year tenure at the dealership. During this time, he received various awards from Ford Motor Company and was held in the highest regard by all employees, noted mostly by his caring heart and willingness to help others. Richard instituted the adoption of numerous underprivileged families at Christmas, purchasing toys and groceries and becoming one of Birmingham's greatest Santa Clauses every year during the holidays. He was a respected fixture in the automobile industry, including a tenure in sales at Western Auto and Lonny Russell Ford, working for Earnest McCarty of today's Earnest McCarty Ford. Richard began his management career at Long Lewis Ford and also ran a business in sales consulting and owned, managed, and operated Direct on Target, his own advertising agency. He helped to launch the success of several of Birmingham's highest performing individuals in the automobile industry today. Richard was Honorary Attorney General of the State of Alabama, and an Honorary Deputy Sherriff of Jefferson County. He was a loving person, always cracking jokes and smiling. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, James V. Cork and Frances J. Cork; Richard's second wife, Dorothy "Dot" B. Cork; and one grandson, Robbie Hollingsworth. Survivors include Richard's wife, Regenea Combs Cork; daughters, Andrea Cork, Linda George, Jackie Hollingsworth, April Greer, Alleta Daniel, Erica Gaddis, Whitney Walden, and Brittany Southerland; sons, Jerome Flippo, Darrell Cork, Keith Brewer, and Robert Combs; grandchildren, Wyatt D. Jolly, Joey and Jeffrey George, Nicholas and Adam Hollingsworth, Andrew and Abi Walden, and Johnathan and Madelynn Daniel; two brothers, James W. Cork and Ronald D. Cork; aunts, Lou Tucker, Hazel Barnett, and Marie Anderson; and uncle, Don Cork. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, 2011 in Southern Heritage Chapel, Pelham, with Rev. Joyce Tyson officiating. Burial will follow in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham. Memorial gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, or Toys for Tots.