Loring S. Corkum, 94, passed peacefully in his sleep in Greenville, SC on April 28. He is survived by his brother, Keith (Nancy) of Dudley, MA; daughters Cynthia (Vern)Steffel of Greenville, SC; Lorice (Greg) McNabb of Nashville, TN; Sharlene (Earl)Fehribach of Evansville, IN; Christen (Lee) DeCof of Scottsdale, AZ; son Loring (Laura) of Louisville, KY; and 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Loring enjoyed a rich childhood of outdoor adventure that included a passion for camping and fishing. He was an Eagle Boy Scout and later a Scout Master. He also was an accomplished banjo player and expressed his artistic talent through stained glass creations and painting. His memory will be kept alive by many of his stained glass pieces and paintings given to friends and family over the years.
It wasn’t until his late 50’s that Loring stopped playing hockey, but his golfing continued including eighteen holes in 110+ degrees on his 90th birthday celebration.
Friends and family may remember Loring most for being a people person. He was never short of a story or a topic of interest to discuss. His personality was infectious and attracted many lifelong friends. He was especially energized for the next family event or visit. Even at 94, he kept in touch with family by joining text strings with insightful dialogue, humor and an occasional emoji.
Loring joined the US Navy in 1944 and served in both the WWII Pacific conflict and Korean War. His rich war stories included his eyewitness of the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender as his destroyer was among the fleet in Tokyo Bay.
In 1949, Loring married Janice Stewart, the mother of their five children. The work he performed and excelled during his career in sales and marketing for Holden Red Stamps, Gold Bond, and later Carlson Marketing took him from Massachusetts to North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana, Canada, Arizona, and back to Indiana where he retired in 1991.
Following the 1999 death of his wife of 50 years, Loring married Vernelle Brazeal in 2001. They enjoyed many traveling excursions within and outside the country and split their time between homes in Arizona and Colorado. Following Vernelle’s death in 2019, Loring moved to Greenville, SC.
In 2006, Loring expressed his faith through baptism among friends and family in a small country church in Colorado. He continued his faith and bible study as can be attested by recent journal entries found after his death.
There will be a service at Haywood Estates where he lived in Greenville for his local friends and the staff with whom he had special friendships.
The family will celebrate Loring’s life at a location and date to be determined. He is entombed at Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, AZ.
The family expresses thanks to the supporting health care workers and staff of Haywood Estates retirement apartment community, where Loring spent two wonderful years of meeting new friends, enjoying planned activities, and quality care.
As daughter Cindy’s brother-in-law, my time with Loring was limited. When with him, I always enjoyed my time. He was an attentive listener and his observations and insights always interesting. He will be missed. My condolences to his entire family.
Cindy and family, Marty & I are saddened by your Father’s unexpected death. Just know we are with you in thoughts and prayers. I was surprised to find your father and I worked for the same company – Carlson Companies. The company I worked for in Dayton, OH was bought by Carlson in 1980 and I moved to Des Moines, IA to continue with the company for 3 years. Small world.
We are so sorry for your loss. He was a kind soul with a easy to enjoy personality. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Positive, engaging and energetic is how I will remember Loring. He was my Gordie Howe of amateur hockey as he not only played forever, but always seemed to maintain a level of enthusiasm and interest a couple of decades different than his age. I am amongst the countless beneficiaries of what maybe his greatest legacy…. his 5 children, 15 GC and 22 GGC. Thank you Loren and sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Cindy what a beautiful tribute to your father. Although I had hoped to meet him, I feel that I know him a bit through you and this wonderful description of his life. He was obviously a man who lived a rich, full life and never stopped experiencing the joy of each day he lived on this earth. What a legacy he leaves to you and all who knew him. He won’t be forgotten and his presence will be sensed every day.
Barb and I wish to offer our prayers and condolences to Loring and Jan’s children who we met during the Jeffersonville, IN days. They were wonderful neighbors and friends that we shared many happy times with. We both loved Loring very much and will miss our telephone chats with him. I cherish the memories of golf and the projects we worked on together. Loring was my second “Dad”. We are grateful for having the opportunity and pleasure to know The Corkum Family.