Don Corey

Donald H. Corey, age 71 of Richland, died peacefully at Rose Arbor Hospice Home on February 9, 2022. He was born November 3, 1950, in Kalamazoo, the son of Roy and Effie (Strong) Corey previously deceased. Don was a 1968 graduate of Lawton High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in January of 1969 and after completing his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, his AIT at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia, he spent a year as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Don then volunteered for service in Vietnam. He arrived in Vietnam on August 10, 1970 and completed his tour of duty with the 101st Airborne Division on August 24, 1971. Upon his arrival back in the state at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was honorably discharged from the Army on August 25, 1971. Don was hired at Gibson Guitar Company and worked there until they announced they were moving the company to Tennessee. He was hired into Michigan Bell Telephone Company on February 19, 1974, and for over 35 years Don worked in several areas of the company as it changed names from Michigan Bell to Ameritech to SBC to AT&T. He held positions on the Frames, OCS, and as a Large Business network technician until his retirement on March 16, 2009. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting. He most loved bow hunting but truly enjoyed his time in the outdoors and the hunt. In 1972, Don married Denise Hagen. They were thankful for the years they were married because it brought them two sons, Jeff and Marcus. Though the marriage did not last, Don and Denise remained friends and worked hard to parent the boys together. He is survived by his sons: Jeff Corey and Marcus (Jessica) Corey and their mother Denise Corey; the love of his life, his granddaughter Alexandra Corey; his sister, Jean Gregory (Mark Robertson); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, John West (Jackie) and his sister, Lila Angel (Doug). Friends may visit with his family at a memorial gathering visitation on Saturday, February 19, 2022, from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S. 9th Street, Kalamazoo, where military honors will be rendered at 12:30 PM. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Centrica (Hospice of Southwest Michigan) or St Jude Children's Hospital. Please visit Don's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com