John Corley

1955 - 2016

John Charles Corley
1955-2016
November 18, 1955 - June 22, 2016. John's business was drama. His first play led to a life-long love of the theater. Directing was his gift. In high school, John directed and wrote musical presentations at Temple United Methodist Church. After graduation, he served as a Stage Manager for Dunfey's Dinner Theater from 1974- 1976; and worked at the Baytown Little Theater, the Klein Forest High School theater and the Alley Theater from 1976- 1984. He was a Wardrobe Assistant in the Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 896 from 1976- 2010. He worked with the Houston Ballet as a dresser for The Nutcracker for over twenty years; and with the Houston Orchestra at home and on road productions.
John earned his BA and MA in Theater from the University of Houston, teaching at HCC while earning his master's degree. He developed the drama program for HCC Stafford and spent 33 years perfecting and teaching his craft . He taught classes in ESL, Voice & Diction and Speech. He was Theater Director in over 120 plays, about four a year. He was proficient in technical work, lighting and sound design, and bringing his own vision to life by directing many, many plays.
John served ten years at HCC as the Fine Arts & Speech Department Chairman and five years as the Division Chair of Fine Arts, Speech, Language and Humanities until reorganization occurred in 2015. He consulted on the planning and development of The Stafford Centre. In his spare time, John was the creative genius behind the Shakespeare productions at the George Library in Richmond, Texas and a resident artist for two years at the Unity Theater in Brenham, Texas.
His original pieces include: Three Years & A Promise, to the music of Godspell (while in high school); Hey Look Us Over: A musical for new Chancellor Charles Green; The Wizard of Waugh: A musical for new Chancellor Dr. Ruth Burgos-Sasser; and Suevenir: A farewell tribute to Southwest College, President, Dr. Sue Cox.
John was recognized as Educator of the Year; received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence; the Bedichek Distinguished Service Award; the Faculty Mentor Award for the Western Region; and he was one of four finalists for the National Faculty Mentor Award given by the Association of Community College Trustees.
John loved to travel, working crossword puzzles and music. He was passionate about his work, friends and family. He was a man of faith with a gentle spirit. He did not raise his voice. He was respectful using ma'am and sir. He did not complain. He was the epitome of patience. He had a twinkle in his eye and a laugh in his grin. John touched many lives.
Besides many students, life-long friends and colleagues, he is survived by mother Eugenia Mae Corley, sister Helen Corley, brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Paula Onxley, nephews Matthew Onxley, nieces Sarah Onxley and Tova Rosas; great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by sister Sharon Onxley, and his beloved father, C. Markham Corley.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to a charity of your choice.