Corley

Patrick Louis Corley was born in Pendleton on June 5, 1968, to Louis and Mary Corley. He was the youngest of five and learned the fine art of teasing and tormenting from his four older siblings, Sarah, Mike, Bill and Sandy.

Pat was preceded in death by his father Louis Corley and his nephew Seth Blakeslee.

Pat is survived by his mother Mary Corley of Ukiah, Oregon; his wife, Renee Corley of Pendleton; his daughter Bria and her husband Joe Miller of Darrington; his daughter Madison Corley of Everett, Washington; his daughter Jordan Corley and her boyfriend Dustin Horn of Astoria; his son John Reyes and fiancée Sharon Wise of Pendleton; his sister Sarah and her husband Pat West; his brother Mike Corley and his wife Myla of Long Creek; his brother Bill Corley and his wife Diane of Pendleton; his sister Sandy Corley of Monument; his grandchildren Berlyn, Evan and Kaden; his nieces Jamie West and Lisa; and his nephews Ryan Wolf, Scott Wolf, Tim West, Ben, Max, Matt, Colton Blakeslee and Stephen Easley.

Pat was raised in Ukiah, Oregon, and graduated from Ukiah High School in 1986. He was always proud to wear the Cougar uniform as he participated in both cross country and basketball throughout junior high and high school.

On October 29, 1987, Pat married the love of his life, Renee Easley, and then the happy couple began their journey together as parents. With loving arms Pat welcomed each of his three girls, Bria, Madison and Jordan, and his son, John, into his home and into his heart, making each one feel as if they were the center of his universe. In addition to raising their own children, Pat and Renee were also foster parents to many children.

Pat was a man of integrity, a man of honesty, and a man of God. He told his children and other young people in his life to always be honest, and do what you say you are going to do. Pat was an active member of The Church of Christ, and just last Thursday, after men’s bible class, he thought out loud, “I wonder what paradise is going to look like?”

Pat did not comprehend the word stranger, and if you’ve ever met Pat, you know why … strangers were just friends he hadn’t met yet, and friends were an extended version of his family. Pat had a way of putting everyone at ease with his sweet smile, witty sense of humor, and his charming demeanor. His smile welcomed those who were down on their luck, encouraged those who needed that extra little push, and touched the heart and souls of his family and friends.

Pat loved anything that had to do with being outside. From waterskiing to fishing, from boating to snow skiing, from motorcycle riding to logging, Pat loved it all, and if he had his family there to enjoy it with him, then the activity was just that much sweeter.

Pat Corley was one of a kind. Even after 29 years of marriage he still opened the car door for his wife Renee and even though all the kids have grown up and live away from home, he would still call them to check in with them on a regular basis.

He was known to have a solution to everything, and could fix just about anything that was broken; whether it was a car that needed some TLC or a broken heart, Pat was the “go to” guy that everyone called on when they needed a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on.

Pat took the old adage of “he’d give you the shirt off of his back” one step further when he gave a hitchhiker a car so that the man could make his way back to his family in Utah. Yes, Pat Corley was truly one of a kind.

Pat would be comforted in the fact that he equipped his family well. He prepared them to stand when all they would like to do is crumble. He taught them to live, even though they, during this time, feel like dying themselves. He showed them what it looks like to be a good son, a good brother, a good nephew, a good uncle, a good husband, a good dad, and a good grandpa. He created a legacy in his children and his friends who will carry on his tradition. The tradition of being a person of integrity, a person of honor, a person worth knowing and a person worth loving.

No one knows what was going through Pat’s mind in the early morning hours of June 24, but one can guess that he said a little prayer thanking God for the beauty that not only surrounded him, but that fed his heart and soul his entire life. He may have even asked God to bless his family and friends as he wished they could also experience God’s handiwork that morning as the sun rose over the Eastern Oregon mountains. He was most likely smiling that morning as he rode to work, happy with life and thrilled to be a part of his brother’s logging crew, and he undoubtedly wore the same charming smile as our Good Lord welcomed him Home with loving arms.

The Celebration of Life will be held at the Vert Auditorium at 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton, Oregon, on Friday, July 1st. The service will be at 10 a.m., graveside service in Athena then a potluck reception for all at the Vert Auditorium.