Frank Thomas Corker

Dr. Frank Thomas Corker died peacefully on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 with his loving family near. Dr. Corker was born in Atlanta Georgia on December 12, 1935. During World War II his father was called to active duty and his mother returned to Dalton Georgia with Frank and his sister Thayer to be with his grandparents. The family returned to their home in Athens when the war ended and he grew up fishing and hunting and roaming the woods with his buddies who became devoted lifelong friends. He graduated from Athens High School in 1953 and graduated from Emory University in 1957. He was married to Dianne Blankenship who was by his side during his years of medical school at Emory where he graduated in 1961. In 1969 he received the Degree of Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Corker, a Colonel in the United States Air Force, served as a Flight Surgeon and flew many missions during the Vietnam War over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He and his family lived in many locations during his Air Force career. He came to Moody Air Force Base as Hospital Commander in 1977 and retired with full military honors in 1981 after 20 years of service. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association, a member of the College of Preventive Medicine and the American Medical Association. Upon his retirement from the United States Air Force, he began a 15-year private medical practice in Valdosta in Occupational Medicine.

His retirement years were spent pursuing his lifelong interest in the great outdoors. He enjoyed many sports, from birdwatching to salmon fishing in Alaska. He had many friends in Valdosta with whom he hunted birds in many places out west and one of his favorite spots, the Brosnan Forest where he hunted quail in the beautiful longleaf pines.

Frank was very active in the Valdosta community. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, he served on the board of the C&S Bank, the Rotary Club and was involved in many charitable organizations.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents Newman and Thayer Hopper Corker, his wife Diane, Sister Thayer Bowles his granddaughter Kristin Crowley. He is survived by his wife Gloria, his children Thayer Corker, Frank Jr. (Pat), Tom (Trista), his grandchildren Michael Corker (Marissa), Matthew Corker, Jourdan Corker, and Austin and in Tanner Corker. Gloria’s children, John Price (Nathalie) and Melani Beavers (Stuart), her Grandchildren Bronte, Ren, I and Monroe Price, Isaac and Ellie Cate Beavers. He is also survived by his beloved sister Toodie Emerson. Frank has a large extended family.

Frank is survived by countless friends from his days in Athens, his military career, his medical career and his years in retirement.

A private family service will be at 2 PM Saturday, the 19th of December at Christ Episcopal Church 1521 N. Patterson St. Valdosta, GA 31602, and followed by interment in the Church Memorial Gardens at 2:30 for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 1521 N. Patterson St. Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home is serving the Corker family.