Thomas Corey Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Thomas Corey age 77, of Jupiter, Florida went home to the Lord on Monday, June 6, 2022. He was born December 24, 1944 in Detroit, MI, the second of twelve children to Patrick and Margaret Corey. Tom was drafted into the Army on December 7, 1966 as a squad leader with the 1st Air Calvary Division. While in combat in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, he was shot in the neck, permanently damaging his spinal cord. Beating all odds of survival, Tom returned to Michigan to rehabilitate to live as a quadriplegic. For his heroic service, Tom was a decorated with a Bronze Star Medal with V device for Valor, two Purple Hearts, an Air Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, a Valorous Unit Citation, a Republic Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and a Combat Infantry Badge. In 1972, Tom moved to Palm Beach County, Florida, most recently living in Jupiter for the past sixteen years. During his transition to Florida he became resolute in fighting for Veteran’s issues. In the mid-1970s, Tom became active in Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and in 1980 joined Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). He was the founding president of VVA Palm Beach County Chapter 25, renamed the Thomas H. Corey Chapter at its 10 year anniversary. In 1985, Tom was elected to VVAs National Board of Directors and two years later elected as VVAs national secretary, and subsequently re-elected four times. In 1997, he was elected National Vice President and in 2001 became the National President of VVA, which he held until 2005. To help heal the wounds of war, Tom made sixteen visits back to Vietnam, representing VVAs Veterans Initiative Task Force. It focused on locating POW/MIAs and Agent Orange issues with successful results. He was ultimately nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. Tom was also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Association, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1st Air Calvary Association, and the National Association of Uniformed Services. He served as an Ombudsman/Program Specialist from the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System to continue his mission to serve as an advocate for all Veterans. Tom is pre-deceased by his parents, Patrick and Margaret, his first wife Mary Kern and second wife, Sharon Loree. He is survived by his son, Brian Corey (Nathan White), of Port St Lucie, FL and daughter, Trang Corey, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; siblings, Rick (Karen) Corey of Annapolis, MD, Carol Maxwell of Hazel Park, MI, Diane (Dan) Pearsall of Sterling Heights, MI, Linda (Jerry) Clark of New Boston, MI, Jim Corey (Cathy Locke Ferraro) of Adrain, Mi, Kathy Phillips (Alan Wood) of Brighton, MI, Jill Corey Hennick of Tucker, GA, Michelle (Mike) Panyard of Pleasant Ridge, MI, and Maureen Corey Smith of Wolverine Lake, MI; his long time dedicated caregiver and loving friend, Janet Alheit-Crane and her husband, Doug and daughter, Sierra, of Jupiter FL; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A visitation will be held from 5pm-7pm, Tuesday June 21st at Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 250 Center Street, Jupiter, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Wednesday June 22nd at St Peter’s Catholic Church, 1701 Indian Creek Pkwy, Jupiter FL. Burial will follow at South Florida VA National Cemetery, Lake Worth, FL. A Celebration of Life will follow from 1:30pm to 4:30 pm at the Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, FL, 33134. For those unable to attend please join us by Zoom by following the instructions below: Zoom link for 6-22-22 Celebration of Life Topic: Tom Corey's Celebration of Life Time: Jun 22, 2022 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5570540137?pwd=dXpNcW1jUTBsN0d4emdjcjEwUVhpUT09 Meeting ID: 557 054 0137 Passcode: Corey One tap mobile +16468769923,,5570540137# US (New York) +13017158592,,5570540137# US (Washington DC) In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to VVA Thomas H. Corey Chapter 25, 6436 Chasewood Drive, Unit E, Jupiter, FL 33458 in loving memory of Thomas Corey.

Thomas Corey

December 24, 1944 - June 6, 2022