James "Jim" Cory

James "Jim" Cory passed away suddenly on July 12, 2024 at the age of 65. He is survived by his loving wife Sandy, children Blake (Becca), Brandon (Sarah) Kelly (Tony) and his first grandson on the way, all from Gunnison, CO. Siblings Mary, Peg (Reid), Sam (Liz), Pat (Debbie), Rose, Mike (Lynn), John (Sandra) and Ginger, along with 27 nieces and nephews and 45 great and great-great nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Simon and Helen Cory and brother Simon Jr (widow Kathy) all from Springfield, IL. He was loved dearly by his mother-in-law Phyllis Hengst from Houston, TX and sister-in-laws Natalie (Alan) and Charlotte (Eric). 

He was born Oct.6, 1958 in Springfield, IL. He grew up loving every sport he could play or read about, which stayed with him throughout his life. He graduated from Sacred-Heart Griffin High School and then worked in the Springfield - Chicago area for several years until a job offer from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park brought him to Gunnison, CO in 1999. He worked as a trail crew supervisor and designed/built the Kneeling Camel overlook at the North Rim of the Black Canyon.

In 2003 he met Sandy, they married soon after, they knew they were meant for each other. They began a life of wonderful new adventures. He was a restaurant connoisseur, a travel agent, a sports caster, and a movie buff. He was always researching/ looking for the best restaurants to try, beautiful places to travel to, fun pubs and beach bars, good old movies to watch, and every sport he could watch on TV, especially his beloved Kansas City Chiefs, St Louis Cardinals, and UT Longhorns.

He loved cooking and grilling, but his favorite was smoking any type of meat including brisket, ribs, or turkey. He could do it all, he was the best. 

He worked for the airlines at Gunnison Valley Airport, which opened a whole new world for travel. He and Sandy took advantage flying stand by to Ireland, the Carribean, and even an overnight trip to Hawaii for a Jimmy Buffet concert.

He was so proud of all of his children and their accomplishments. Jim dearly loved all of his family and friends. He loved laughing, talking story, sharing all of his ideas, experiences, knowledge of places to go, places to eat and people to see, with everyone. You could always count on him to find an answer to anything you were looking for.

He will be remembered for his wonderful big heart (and incredible brisket). His warm presence was larger than life. He will be missed beyond belief.

“And in the end, it’s not the years in a life, it’s the LIFE in the years.” -Abraham Lincoln

A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held at the Almont Resort, Saturday August 3, from 1:00-4:00.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to:

 gvhparamedics.org/donate

Seconds Save Lives

GVH Paramedics

711 N Taylor St

Gunnison, CO 81230

 OR

 T2T.org

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

 2361 Hylan Blvd

Staten Island, NY 10306

 OR

The Charity of Your Choice