Roy R Corlew

Roy Russell Corlew passed away on April 24, 2019 after a long-term battle with colon cancer. Roy was born September 20, 1929 in Nashville, Tennessee to the late Robert Loys Corlew and Ida Corlew Linsley. Roy received his early education in Nashville, Tennessee where he graduated from Pearl High School in 1948. He graduated from Tennessee State University in 1972 with a Bachelor’s Degree. In 1975, he attended graduate school and received a Masters of Business Administration from Xavier University. Roy honorably served his country in the US Army where he retired with 24 plus years of military service including wartime service during the Korean War. After his Army retirement, he worked approximately 20 years for Civil Service at Eglin Air Force Base until his retirement in 1998. Roy was united in marriage to Ann Matthews of Detroit, Michigan on September 26, 1959. They have three children; Roxanne, Ronald Russell and Reginald Roy. In addition to his service to our country, Roy was also deeply committed to public service. In 1974, Roy became a member of his beloved fraternity, Omega Psi Phi which is a non-profit organization committed to public service work in the community. He exemplified their tenants of manhood, uplift, scholarship and perseverance, and he proudly wore their signature colors of purple and gold. Roy was also a member of Veterans of Foreign War (VFW). Roy served his community in a variety of service organizations wherever he lived. He was committed to progressing Civil Rights and was a long-time member of the Okaloosa County chapter of the NAACP. During one of his trips to a National NAACP conference, he learned of the emerging Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program which promotes black excellence among high school students and became committed to furthering its mission. In 1989, Roy championed this program and brought it to Okaloosa County where it continues to this day thanks to the continued leadership from his dear friend and fraternity brother, Arthur Blakely.  Roy will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and humor. Roy was preceded in death by his parents and his only brother, Robert Corlew. Left to cherish his memory are: his wife of 59 years Ann Corlew, three daughters: Roxanne Corlew of Lakeland, Florida, Marilyn Oliver of Elyria, Ohio and Royetta Corlew of Lorain, Ohio, Two sons: Ronald Corlew of Raleigh, North Carolina and Judge Reginald Corlew of West Palm Beach, Florida, Two Daughter in Laws: Cynthia Corlew and Jerilyn Corlew. He was blessed with six grandchildren: Valerie Leath (Tony), Charles Howard Jr., Micaela Harris (Roberteau IV), Taylor Corlew, Matthew Corlew and Clark Corlew. Five Great Grandchildren: Sydney, McKenzie, Anthony, Camille and Roberteau V. He is also fondly remembered by a host of other family relatives and close friends.  The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the ACT-SO program. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to ACT-SO: PO Box 4622, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549.

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