Charles Emerson Coryell III

Charles (Cory) Emerson Coryell Sr., age 81, of Hackensack, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Cory was born on January 26, 1944, in Minneapolis and raised in Richfield, Minnesota. He graduated from Richfield High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in business from Augsburg University. Following college, he proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. A skilled and courageous aviator, Cory was a fighter-qualified Forward Air Controller (FAC) pilot and flew a variety of aircraft during his distinguished military service. After his time in the Air Force, Cory continued to pursue his passion for aviation, building a successful career as a corporate pilot with Honeywell. His love for flying was matched only by his deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, which guided him throughout his life. He served faithfully as a deacon at his church and continued ministering even after a life-altering accident on Father's Day in 2020, which left him partially paralyzed. Through immense resilience and faith, he continued to lead a Bible study from his home in Hackensack, serving and encouraging others with grace and humility. Cory met the love of his life, Nancy Jean Pugh, at a Halloween party hosted by First Evangelical Free Church in Minneapolis. The two later discovered they had unknowingly shared much of their early lives-both families vacationed in the Longville area and they had even been on cradle roll together as infants. They were married on August 28, 1965, and carried on the family tradition of summers in northern Minnesota by building a cabin on Wabedo Lake, where countless memories were made. While stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Cory and Nancy were blessed with two sons, Charles Jr. and Timothy. On their wedding anniversary in 2011, Cory became a grandfather for the first time-an occasion that brought him immense joy. He cherished his role as a grandfather to seven grandchildren and was always present in their lives-attending hockey games, Taekwondo matches, violin recitals, swim lessons, and car shows. He was the first to volunteer for preschool drop-offs, practices, or simply to spend quality time with them. Cory is survived by his sons: Charles Coryell Jr. of Edina (Jacqueline) and Timothy Coryell of Maple Grove (Kristina); and his beloved grandchildren: Liberty, Mason, Colton, Reaghan, Carleigh, Adalyne, and Emma Jean. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife Nancy, his mother Margaret, and his father Charles Coryell. A celebration of Cory's life will be held on Wednesday, August 20th at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, located at 5000 West 50th Street and Highway 100 in Edina, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 8:45 AM, followed by a memorial service at 9:30 AM. A burial with military honors will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 11:00 AM. Please arrive at the cemetery, Assembly Area #3 by 10:45AM.