Roger Mason Corray, age 90, passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024 at his home, with children and grandchildren by his side.
Visitation will be from 10am –12pm on Sunday, December 8 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Rd., Urbana, IL 61802. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Olive cemetery at 12:30 p.m. in Mayview, IL.
Roger was born at Burnham City Hospital in Champaign on February 13, 1934, to Frank Mason and Gladys “Jane” (Dallas) Corray. Roger married Judith Corray in Urbana on October 26, 1957. The couple lived in Seattle, WA, where Roger worked for Boeing before returning to Urbana in 1959.
Roger is survived by daughter Elizabeth “Katie” (Terry) Andersen of St. Joseph, grandchild Kimberly Andersen and great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Jacob Rowland of Hampton, Virginia, grandchild Brian (Amanda) Andersen and great-grandchild Brooke of Mahomet; daughter Debbie (Max) Corray Calvo of St. Joseph and grandchild Emily Corray of Urbana; son Michael (Denise) Corray and grandchildren, Aidan, Jaren and
Shannon Corray of Charleston; brother Robert Corray of St. Joseph; and sister Norma Pittman of Loda (a blessing when his father remarried in 1950). Roger was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Judy; his mother Jane, from complications during his birth; his father; and his brother-in-law Don Pittman.
Roger spent his early years on his grandparents’ Harmon and Elizabeth Corray’s farm in rural Urbana, then moved to town and attended Urbana schools. The family later moved to St. Joseph where he graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1952. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy, both active and reserve duty, for six years, serving on the USS Finch and USS Yuma as an engine dieselman. After working for several years for the Secretary of State’s Office and Urbana Township, Roger served the citizens of Champaign County as a sheriff’s deputy for 25 years.
Well-liked and personable with a twisted sense of humor, he worked his way through the ranks, having served as a captain over the detectives. His personality was steadfast and unflappable, even in the worst situations. When he retired in 1996, Roger was a captain supervising the patrol division.
He gleefully boasted that he had been retired longer than he worked.
When he wasn’t engrossed in police work, Roger was an avid fisherman, especially in retirement. He and Don Pittman were longtime members of the Pollywog Association in Oakwood, IL. The Corrays and Pittmans spent two weeks each summer for 50+ years, fishing on Deer Lake at Linden Grove Resort.
Roger also took a keen interest in local issues, particularly those affecting St. Joseph. For many years he served as president of the Yearsley Cemetery Association in Somer Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph Recreation Fund, PO Box 11, St. Joseph, IL 61873 for the new community building.
Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com
https://www.renner-wikoffchapel.com/obituary/Roger-Mason-Corray
NG 12/5/2024
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