Victor Cory, 88, of 418 Washington, died at 9:15 a.m. Sunday (April 15, 2012) in Sunset Home.
Victor was born June 6, 1923, near Griggsville, a son of Fred and Helen Hammitt Cory. He married Dorothy Laird from Griggsville in 1943. Victor and Dorothy recently celebrated their 69th anniversary on March 21, 2012. She survives.
Victor was a World War II veteran serving from 1943-1945 in the Army Air Corps. He was a member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church, where he participated on the board.
Victor was instrumental in establishing the Adams County Mental Health Center (currently known as Transitions). He served as director and president for numerous years. In 1999, he was named Board Member of the Year for the Association Board. In 2008, Transitions honored him for establishing this organization. He also served on the board of the Cancer Association. Victor was an 11-year member of the Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament committee, chairing the committee in 1978. He also served as a fund worker for the United Way and was an assistant leader for the Boy Scouts.
Victor started with Moorman Manufacturing in 1945. He was transferred to Portland, Ore., where he served as a services research representative for seven states. He acquired a wide experience with factory-type production of agricultural products of West Coast operations, giving him a keen insight into both the current and future problems of animal agriculture. Victor was responsible for a great many innovations, and he provided a vigorous program of market exploration and development under his leadership.
In 1949, he moved to Los Angeles, where he was president of Moorman Manufacturing Co. of California Inc. and vice president of Bell Grain and Milling. He assisted in purchasing Bell Companies in California in 1958. He established a new feed manufacturing division in Alpha, Ill., and directed it from Quincy.
In 1966, he arranged the acquisition of Bell Echo Manufacturing of Quincy that later became Moorman Livestock and Equipment Division, where he retired as general manager in 1981. After his retirement, he enjoyed family, farming, hunting, golfing and fishing.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Karen Cory and Vicki Cory Blackwell (Ed Willing Jr.), both of Quincy; a son, Kevin (Jan) Cory of Quincy; a sister, Dorothy Cory Bradshaw (Clyde) of Pinehurst, N.C.; five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Victor was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Paul E. Cory; two sisters, Esther Cory and Doris Cory Birch (Ralph) of Griggsville; and a daughter, Janice Lynn Cory.
SERVICES: 10 a.m. Saturday in the Vermont Street United Methodist Church, with the `Rev. Scott Grulke officiating. Burial will be in Quincy Memorial Park.
VISITATION: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
MEMORIALS: Transitions of Western Illinois or the Leukemia Foundation.
ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
WEBSITE: www.hansenspear.com.
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Vicki, I’m sorry to hear of your father’s passing. It sounds as though he was a good man. Blessings and good memories to you.
So sorry to hear of Vic’s passing. His sense of humor will be missed by many, especially by his grandchildren and his great-children.
Our thoughts are with all of you.
Thinking of you especially during this sorrowful time. But you can always remember all the memories you have of your Dad. I know that it doesn’t seem like much now, but it will carry you through the rough times. He was a loving father which is what you will always have with you!
Your father, grandfather, and husband leaves on this earth a treasure of a legacy that will live on forever. Take comfort in the many lives he has touched personally, and through all of those that loved him and the effects that they have had on so many other lives in the Quincy community. Our heartfelt sorrow for your loss and our prayers go out to the family.