Thomas Linton Corey

Thomas Linton Corey Today is the Celebration of the Life of Thomas Linton Corey, who is now with our Lord. He was born in Register, Georgia on November 14, 1921 to Solomon and Jeanette Corey, the 10th of 11 children. He left this world on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 after sharing all of himself with his family and friends. Dad was a generous man with all that our Lord gave him. "Tom" Corey will live on through the love of his life for 67 years, Juanita Bragg Corey, and Lawrence P. Corey (son) and Donna V. Corey (daughter), his two great joys, Thomas Adam Corey (grandson) and Jessica C. Columbia (granddaughter) and K. Christopher Columbia (husband), The Sparkles of his eyes, his great-granddaughters, Dayton Lawrence Columbia and Palmer Marie Columbia of Savannah, GA. Also, Mrs. Imogene Butler (sister), Stone Mountain, GA and Mrs. Doris B. Melton (sister-in-law), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Genevieve Felton. He served his country well beginning at the age of sixteen when he enlisted in the 118th Field Artillery. At the beginning of WWII, Command SGT Thomas Corey and Lt. Behnken formed the 630th Tank Destroyer Battalion. The 630th TD outfit saw extensive action in the European Theater particularly, "The Battle of the Bulge". He received an honorable discharge on October 6, 1945 and returned to Savannah, GA with his new wife. In 1946 the 158th Fighter Squadron was founded of which he was an original member through 1952. I understand why this generation of men and women are called "The Greatest Generation". At the age of 7, he made the march from Duffy Street Baptist Church to the corner of Bull and Anderson Streets, where it became known as Bull Street Baptist Church. He was a lifelong member and Deacon of Bull Street Baptist Church. He was a Master Mason in Acacia Lodge #452, Scottish Rite, Alee Shrine (past recorder), Alee Clowns (past president), American Legion Post 184, and Royal Order of Jesters. Thomas Corey was the longest service member of the Savannah Volunteers Guards. A Restauranteur in Savannah for 50 years, his businesses included Corey's Poinsetta Restaurant on Montgomery Street Abercorn Ham and Eggs, Tom's Takeouts, Niemeyer's Delicatessen, Tom's Drive-in, Tom's Restaurant and Coffee Shop. He concluded his career with his son at Larry's Restaurant. I had the pleasure of enjoying my father for twenty years in a working relationship but more importantly watching him interact with all of our customers. My Dad said the most important legacy a man can pass on to his children is a good name. Thank you for fulfilling your end of the bargain. We would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Theodore Geffen for the special care, compassion, and dignity with which he treated our father. Our family would like to thank the staff and friends of Larry's Restaurant for their prayers and support during this time. The celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. Honorary pallbearers will be the Alee Shrine Clown Unit. The family will receive family and friends on Friday, April 5, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m at Fox and Weeks, Hodgson Chapel. Remembrances may be made to the Alee Shrine Morris Slotin Fund for "crippled and burned children" or the American Heart Association. Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel