"Corky" Charles Owen McCormick

Charles Owen “Corky” McCormick IV accomplished great things in the short amount of time he had on earth. An accomplished guitarist, Corky will be remembered for his excellent guitar chops, creative songwriting and skilled solos. A bright student, Corky had strong family bonds, many friends, and a renowned reputation at Central Grove High School. He will be remembered for his ability to make people laugh, even during hard times, his loyalty to friends, and his positive approach towards life.

“Corky” McCormick was born on December 6, 1986, to proud parents Dr. Charles Owen McCormick, III, and Janet R. (Croney) McCormick. He was delivered at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, Indiana. The day of Corky’s birth happened to also be the day of an I.U. basketball game. Both his father and the obstetrician were watching the game while his mother was in labor. “Corky” was born with impressively black hair and his eyes wide open.

Corky had one older sister, Morgan Amelia “Amy.” The children were only a year apart in age, and spent their childhoods growing up together. Having spent many years wanting children of their own, Dr. and Mrs. McCormick considered both Corky and Amy to be a blessing.

Although Corky was always a bit mischievous and curious, he was never a problem child. At a young age, Corky started making facial expressions that will be remembered forever by those who loved him. By age five, Corky said he wanted to be a “comedy maker,” and that he wanted to make people laugh. Corky attended Maple Grove Elementary School for 6 years, where he excelled as a student. He was very proud of his science fair projects, which quite often took top rank. Corky became involved in the youth soccer program and the Bantam football league. Two years of dance training equipped Corky with the footwork necessary to land him the position of quarterback on his Bantam team.

Following elementary school, Corky attended the Center Grove Middle School, where he spent two years before moving on to the Center Grove High School. Since Corky was still a little short in stature his freshman year of high school, he was unable to continue playing football. Corky had no problem finding other activities to occupy his time. He became involved in the high school theater group, working on stagecraft technology, and playing his guitar in a production of “Godspell.” Corky spent many hours practicing his guitar, composing music, and playing as a lead guitarist in several garage bands. Corky’s love and appreciation of music began developing at a young age. When he was only seven, Corky picked up his first guitar. The McCormick Family lived near a Guitar Works store, where Corky went began taking lessons. He had 10 guitar teachers over the course of 10 years, and became a very accomplished guitarist, possessing good chord structure and composition skills.

Corky's musical tastes were broad, but most recently he was into music from the 70’s era, including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and The Doors. Corky captured the spirit of this music in his own compositions. Corky first formed a band named LIU, and another called Delta 9. His recent band, The Spade Kicks, released their own CD in October 2004, featuring their own original songs. They sold over 400 copies of the album at school. In all of his bands Corky held the role of lead guitarist and became an excellent soloist.

Corky’s other hobbies included golf, playing with his dogs and traveling. Corky played golf for two years on the middle school golf team, and described himself as an “average” golfer. Corky always loved the McCormick family dogs and went out of his way to spend time with them. Corky had a special relationship with the family’s British Cocker, Bogey.

Corky had a great appreciation for travel and was well-traveled for such a young person. He had taken several cruises with his family, which he greatly enjoyed not only because of the scenery, but for the independence they offered. One of his favorite places to visit was Nelson’s Resort in Minnesota, located on Crane Lake. Corky had visited most of the Canadian provinces, Hawaii, London, Mexico, Belize and various locations in the Caribbean.

Corky was to graduate from Center Grove High School the very day he passed away. He was looking forward to attending Indiana University in the fall and rooming with one of his close friends from high school. Corky was also excited to attend I.U. because his sister, Amy, is a student there.

Amy remembered her brother for his tremendous loyalty to his friends. She commented that Corky always believed that everyone was a genuinely good person, and he knew what it meant to be a good friend. Being so close in age, Corky and Amy developed a strong and loving relationship. Corky had recently been asking his sister advice about girl friends, even whether he should change his hair color!

Corky’s family described him as a friend to everyone. He had excellent manners and was always polite, particularly to adults. Corky was soft-spoken and a great listener, and often attracted people with problems who wanted to discuss them. He was idealistic, and a bit of a procrastinator, with a fantastic sense of humor and a knack for making people laugh. Corky even tried to make his mom laugh when he was in trouble. His mother said that Corky “lived for the moment,” and described him as “effervescent.” He told his mother on Friday that if he ever got a tattoo it would say “Carpe Diem”.

Corky’s death shocked everyone, and his cause of death remains a mystery. Charles Owen “Corky” McCormick, IV, 18, of Bargersville, IN, died Friday, May 27, 2005 at his residence in White River Township. Corky is survived by his parents, Dr. Charles Owen McCormick III and Janet R. (Croney) McCormick. Other survivors include a sister, Morgan Amelia “Amy” McCormick; maternal grandfather, Carlton Luverne Croney of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, formerly of Speedway, IN; uncles Rodney Joseph Croney of San Diego, CA, and Patrick Jay McCormick of Indianapolis, IN; aunts Elizabeth McCormick-Ross of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Kathleen McCormick-Zatopa of San Francisco, CA. He was preceded in death by grandparents Mary Louise (Snyder) Croney, Charles O. McCormick, Jr., M.D., and Esther C. (Brubach) McCormick, as well as an uncle, Michael Gene McCormick.

Reverend Greg Ponchot will conduct services on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, at 10:00 A.M., at the Community Church of Greenwood, 1477 West Main Street, Greenwood, IN. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 30, 2005, from 3:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at the church. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in White River Township. Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Greenwood is handling the arrangements.

To learn more about Corky, read his life story, share a memory, arrange for flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Charles Owen “Corky” McCormick IV Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit his website at www.lifestorynet.com. When making a memorial contribution to the Scholarship Fund please make checks payable to Janet McCormick, in care of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 9, Greenwood, IN, 46143.