Charles Corke

CORKE, Charles Philip, 84, of Richmond, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 16, 2009. He spent most of his adult life and raised his family in Oakton, Virginia before retiring to Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Elaine Corke, and is survived by his two daughters, Kelly C. Pledger of Manakin Sabot, Virginia, and Kristi L. Schlegelmilch of Culpeper, Virginia; as well as his sister, Lorraine Lacey of Aurora, Colorado; and his grandchildren, Heather Bentley, Lindsey Schlegelmilch, Ryan Pledger and Hannah Pledger. Mr. Corke was born in Studley, Kansas on October 7, 1925 and grew up in Hoxie, Kansas. He was graduated from Sheridan Community High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18, serving from July 1, 1943 through August 26, 1946 when he received an honorable discharge. His military career included service on the U.S.S. White Plains, CVE 66, a Casablanca Class air craft carrier which was engaged in combat operations throughout the Central Pacific during WWII. He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific 1 Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon, and attained the rank of Lieutenant JG. He received his degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska and worked for the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, for over 39 years, fostering a sincere love and respect for the Native Americans. He fell in love with and married Lois in Nebraska and they enjoyed over 60 years of marriage. A memorial service honoring Mr. Corke will be held on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the River Road Presbyterian Church, 8960 River Road, Richmond, Va. 23229 and he will be interred with his wife at 2 p.m. in the Culpeper National Cemetery in Culpeper, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the National Kidney Foundation.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.