James E, Corley died on October 11, 2017 at Ocean Springs Hospital from complications resulting from
kidney failure. Survivors of James Corley are Wife, Nancy Pennebaker Corley, Children Steven {Sara)
Letellier, Michael [Sue] Letellier, Brent (Maria) Letellier, Carolyn (David) Elsteroth, Becky (Brent) Morris,
Kent (Terra) Corley and David (Lisa) Cowart, eight grandchildren and Sister Dotty (Irwin) Burt. He was
preceded in death by his father Galloway Corley, mother Ruth Corley and sister Mermie Stinson.
As a young teen, Jim was interested in building rockets. He was able to have several successful firings of
his rockets near his childhood home both in Lucedale and at his father's farm. He will be remembered
for setting a few of his father's fields on fire during some of his less than stellar shots.
Jim graduated from Lucedale High School in 1959. He graduated from MSU in 1963 where he majored
in mechanical engineering. Jim completed graduate school and all of his course work for his doctorate
degree in mechanical engineering. As a young man, he worked in Huntsville AI helping to design the
components of the Saturn rockets. In the mid 70's he began work for Saudi Aramco Oil Company, the
world's large oil company. There he rose to.the highest technical position in the company. While
working in the New Orleans area, he designed the pumping system for the Strategic Oil Reserve.
Among some of the awards that Jim received after retirement are:
DAR National Community Award
Grand Marshall of the 2016 Christmas Parade
Being recognized with the James Corley Day ceremony
Jim was a man of many talents. He loved to sculpt, design and create furniture and to paint in oils and
watercolors. He was involved in civic projects. Three projects of which he was especially pleased to be a
part of were the local library statue, Story Time, that depicts a-grandmother reading to her grandchild, the veteran's war memorial sundial and the Nancy P. Corley Bridge, both of which are located in City
Park. Jim enjoyed being a guest lecturer for the Spirit class, hosting star parties, being a jolly old elf
during the Christmas parade and being known as "The Magic Quarter Man" by the young children of
Lucedale. He said that moving back to Lucedale was the second-best decision he ever made. He always
said that his best decision was that of marrying his wife, Nancy.
Visitation will be Monday, October 16, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Lucedale, from 9:30am to 11:00am. His funeral service will follow at 11:00am. Entombment will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
Sigler Funeral Home, 4248 Main Street, Lucedale, MS 39452, 601-947-3112 is in charge of arrangements.