John Sidney Corley

John Corley Obituary

John Sidney Corley was born August 4, 1933 to Elton Irwin and Lena Beatrice Corley in Rochester, Texas. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1952. A football star at Rochester High School, he continued to play football for Henderson College in Athens, Texas where he graduated in 1954.

He married his high school sweetheart Maydell Hanson, August 1, 1954 just prior to joining the US Army. He served his country from 1954 - 1956. After leaving the army, he and Maydell moved to Midland, Texas in 1957. In April 1961, he began his career as a police officer with the Midland Police Department following in his father's law enforcement footsteps.

During his career with the MPD, he obtained his bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy in Washington, DC. Additionally, he was a part-time instructor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Midland College. He retired from the MPD as Deputy Chief in August of 1987 after 26 l/2 years of service. Upon retiring, he continued to work with Midland County Constable office, chief of Police in Pilot Point, Texas and served as bailiff at the Midland County Courthouse. On December 31, 1999, he retired from law enforcement. Sidney was a member of Crestview Baptist Church.

In August 2005, Sid and Maydell relocated to Dallas, Texas to be closer to their family. After an extended illness, Sidney graduated to heaven on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007.

He is survived by Maydell, his loving wife of 52 years and his four children: Mike Corley and wife Sheryl of Richardson, Texas, Mark Corley and wife Joanne of Keller, Texas, Melinda Reed and husband Greg of Auburn, Washington, and Matt Corley and wife Lacheer of Ft. Worth, Texas. Also by 8 grandchildren: Russell and Amber Corley of Richardson, Texas, Amy Millar and husband Brandon of Euless, Texas, Ashley Corley of Keller, Texas, Parker and Brook Reed of Auburn, Washington, and Matthew and Kaitlynn Corley of Ft. Worth, Texas. He is also survived by 2 great-grand-children, John and Joshua Hill of Richardson, Texas, his sister-in-law Earlene Townsend of Rochester, Texas and niece Lynn Taylor of Coushatta, Louisiana, extended family and many friends.

Crestview Baptist Church will host the funeral service Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow at Rochester Cemetery at 5:00 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. To place online condolences, visit www.mem.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Law Enforcement Memorial (NLEOMF) 400 7th Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20004.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Midland Reporter-Telegram on Apr. 10, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John Corley

9 Entries

Sharron Rebenstorf

May 7, 2007

David and I just read about the passing of Sid today in a late issue of the Crestview Challenge. They always seem to arrive weks behind the times. We extend our condolences at the loss of Sid. I think the last time I heard from Melinda she said that she was having to make alot of trips to Midland to help out with him. I wish we had heard earlier of his passing. Our prayers and thoughts go to the whole family. All of you are still very close to our hearts.
May God's unsurpassing peace surround all of you.

Sending you our prayers,
David and Sharron Rebenstorf

Alan Kimbrow

April 29, 2007

I just found out tonight while myself and my wife were eating dinner and ran into a collegue of Sid's at the MPD that he had recently passed away. Capt. Billy Ray informed me of Major Corley's passing.
This deeply saddended me. Sidney was as neighbor of mine and at one time was a customer on mine at Safeway in Midland. We lived in very close proximity to each other and I fondly remember seeing him on his daily power walks through the neighborhood.
In the late 80's and early 90's , when I was doing consulting work for a local nursing home , I would see him on a regular , daily basis coming in to check up on his elderly mother . This was the kind of person he was. He was a good , honest caring man. God Bless Him and His Family. He was a good man, and this world is worse for his passing.

Alan Kimbrow

Frank (Onroe) Bell

April 11, 2007

Marilyn and I were so sorry to hear of the passing of Sidney--we were shocked to hear that he had entered the hospital and then he was gone. His passing has brought back fond memories of the times we spent together as children. He was just a year younger than I, but when we were together it was as brothers rather than "uncle and nephew."

Over the years we became separated because of moves by my family or his. Shortly after WWII, the Corley family moved back to Rochester and we became re-acquainted. Sidney was a Freshman or Sophomore at the time I graduated from Rochester High in 1949.

We stayed in touch through the years. Our professional lives were totally different and in different parts of the U.S.. Fortunately for Sidney and Maydell, they were able to stay in Midland for all of his career. This gave the two of them an opportunity to put down roots and raise a wonderful family.

Again we were all very sorry to hear of Sidney's passing and we wish all the best to Maydell and all the Corley family.

Frank (Onroe)& Marilyn, Bill & Jill Bell & family

Phill Maxwell

April 11, 2007

Sid had a profound influence on my career in law enforcement. He set high standards, and was always the consumate professional. I will miss him as a former boss, but mostly as a dear friend.

April 10, 2007

My most sincere condolences to Sid Corely's family...I got to know and appreciate what a good man Sid was in the early 70's when I was news director for kcrs radio and sid was a detective. He was always professional and personable. Over the years it was always a wave and a smile when seeing Sid jogging in our neighborhood. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing. It's always tough to lose such a good person. God bless him and his family!
DICK BAZE-Midland

Cindy Goree

April 10, 2007

Dear Corley Families, I just learned of Mr. Corley's passing yesterday. I am so sorry. I will pray for all of you as you go through this tough time. What a precious family you are! Cindy

Barbara (Mrs Dale) Carlton

April 10, 2007

The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Barbara Carlton
Madill, Okla.

Cindy Cooper/King

April 10, 2007

I am saddened to hear of Major Corley's passing. Please know that the family is in my thoughts and prayers. He was a good, good man. I had a very high respect for him.

ronnie bearden

April 10, 2007

i first met sid in 1997. he and charlie bolinger taught me about being a bailiff for midland county. when sid retired as bailiff for the 385th district court i gave him a putter as a gift and to show my respect and gratitude for the things he had taught to me. i enjoyed his wit and sense of humor and will miss him. dear GOD, take him up and let him guard YOUR gates.

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