Obituary
Titusville – Ray Corey, 86, of Titusville, Florida entered eternal rest on December 19, 2020 at his home after a brave battle with cancer.
Ray was born in Dunlap, Iowa the son of Ivan C. and Elsie L. (Betchel) Corey. He graduated with honors from Dunlap High School in 1952 where he was on the football, basketball, and baseball teams all four years. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and biology from the University of Iowa where he was quarterback for the UOI football team and a Master of Science degree from the State University of New York. He served in the Army as a medic. After the military, he taught science and math in South Glens Falls, NY. His career with NASA began in 1963 at the NASA Research Center in Cambridge, Mass., where he was the coordinator for the NASA-sponsored Spacemobile program. In 1970, he and his family moved to Florida where Ray continued his career with NASA as the Chief Director Public Affairs Office, Educational & Awareness Branch located at Kennedy Space Center. He retired from NASA 1993 with 30 years of exceptional service.
Ray was a member of the IRMC, Titusville. He loved his family, his country, and GOD. He had a passion for fishing, animals, basketball (Orlando Magic), baseball, football (go Hawkeyes), and the outdoors.
He is survived by his son Dr. David Thomas Corey (Helen) of Hopkins, SC.; two daughters, Debra Jean Collins, of Inverness, Fl. and Diane Michelle (Corey-White) Schultz (Steve) of Smithfield, Va.; three stepsons, Craig Gill (Sandy), Jay Gill (Lorraine) and Troy Gill (Kitty), 4 grandchildren, Teri Collins, Ryan White (Chelsea), Emily (White) Carter (Campbell), Austin White; 4 step-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Eleanor A. (Ahrens) Corey (married 1957 – 1977) and by his second wife, Shirley L. (Gill) Corey, (married 1980 – 2002); his father Ivan and his mother Elsie Corey Curren and stepfather Jerry Curren; two brothers; Edward I. Corey and David T. Corey; and a sister, Carolyn K. Spriggs; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Indian River City United Methodist Church, 1355 Cheney Hwy. Titusville, Fl. with the Senior Pastor Bill Corristan officiating. A military honor ceremony will be held, at the church, immediately after the memorial service. Live Stream on Facebook. Masks must be worn during both services. Plants/trees or flowers may be delivered to 2333 Parrish Road, Titusville, Fl. The family wishes to thank Parrish Medical Center doctors, nurses, and staff, along with Hospice.
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