Corey Parker

It is with heavy hearts and so much love that we say goodbye to Corey Parker, who left us far too soon on March 5th. To those of us who knew him, Corey wasn’t just the talented actor from *Biloxi Blues* or *Friday the 13th*; he was the guy with the infectious, rumbling laugh that could fill a quiet room, the friend who remembered every small detail about your life, and the mentor who saw potential in everyone. He had this incredible, grounding presence—like a warm blanket on a cold day—making you feel seen and valued from the very first moment. I’ll never forget his storytelling; he didn’t just tell a story, he performed it, his hands dancing through the air, his eyes crinkling with mischief, drawing you completely into his world. At the heart of everything for Corey was his family. His love for his wife and his children was the pure, unwavering center of his universe. Our favorite memories are of lazy Sunday afternoons at their home, filled with the smell of whatever experimental recipe Corey was attempting in the kitchen (he was a surprisingly ambitious, if occasionally chaotic, home chef), and the sound of his kids’ laughter echoing through the house. He was their biggest cheerleader, their patient coach, and their safe harbor. Those moments, simple and precious, were where his true genius shone—not on any