1949
2021
Raymond W. Corn
1949 ~ 2021
It is with heavy heart that we announce the unexpected passing of our father, husband, leader, and friend Raymond W. Corn. Ray passed on Friday August 13th, 2021. Ray was born in Cebu City, Philippines on December 31st, 1949. He moved with his family to Kansas City in 1954 and then on to Broomfield Colorado in 1960. He graduated from Northern Colorado University with a B.A in social sciences with an emphasis in history and political science in 1971. Having been ranked second in the State of Colorado for wrestling in 1967 he was originally recruited and signed to wrestle for the bears, but he ended up successfully competing on the gymnastics team instead. After graduating he took a job as a teacher and coach at Oakley High school in Kansas but left to return to Colorado to teach History as well as coach the high school gymnastics team at Bear Creek High School from 1972-1977. He moved to Utah State University to Coach the Gymnastics team in 1978 and remained until his retirement in 2008. He was inducted into the Utah State Hall of Fame in 2015. It was at Utah State where he met the love of his life, Shelly (Knighton) Corn. They were married August 26th, 1988 in the Old Rock Church in Providence, Utah. He considered Shelly his dearest friend and confidant. He loved traveling with her, especially to their favorite spot in Mexico. Ray also enjoyed spending time on the golf course and supporting and spending time with his grandchildren.
Ray touched many lives through the sport of gymnastics. He was a coach who would lead his teams to success with unmatched passion and energy. A coach who was genuinely excited for his students no matter what their talent level or capacity, whether their accomplishments were great or small Ray loved to be part of developing athletes. Being a true lifelong teacher Ray mentored numerous coaches, many who still coach, own successful clubs, or coach in Collegiate Gymnastics today. His impact on the sport and to all those who had the pleasure to know and work with him cannot be measured.
Ray truly was a huge success. But to those closest to him he was much more than a coach. He was a loving and loyal husband, a caring and compassionate father, a brother, a mentor, a friend, a supporter, and of course an energetic grandpa. But most of all he was a generous and dependable man. A truly great man. In searching for words to explain what he means to us as a family I have realized that some men have such an impact that words are not worthy to describe because they cannot possibly convey the feelings or emotions. We are devastated. There will only ever be one Ray Corn.
Ray is preceded in death by his Father Allen L. Corn Sr., and his mother Elisa Corn. He is survived by his wife Shelly (Knighton) Corn, daughter Amanda (Corn) Nilson and Spouse Josh Nilson, daughter Christina Corn, older sister Annabelle Luym and Spouse Douglas Luym, older brother Allen L. Corn Jr. and Spouse Phalla Corn, and younger brother Robert Corn and spouse Tanya Corn, also survived by his six Grandchildren: Tristan, Ezekiel, Remington, Emma, Liam, and Asher.
A viewing and memorial service will be held at the Virgin Valley Mortuary in Mesquite, Nevada on Monday- August 23 at 10:00am pst.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Virgin Valley Mortuary - Mesquite.
Shelly, Amanda, Christina, grandkids, and family you have our deepest sympathy on Ray's passing. We have so many fond memories of spending time together with many good times and laughs. We hope that you find comfort and healing knowing that he was loved by many. Our hearts go out to you.
Pam and Dave Repko
September 24, 2021
Ray, we were life long friends. Shelly, my heart goes out to you and the girls. 719 237 5117. Please call me. South of Houston. Bob Mullins.
Bob Mullins
Friend
September 15, 2021
May God's promise found in John 6:40, of the hope to see our loved ones again, comfort your heart and give you peace, strength, and hope in the days ahead.
J.
September 4, 2021
Lost a Great Teacher, Coach & Friend. Recruited Ray from a Tumbling Class I was instructing as Assistant Men´s Gymnastics Coach at UNC. Coach La Bondi , wrestling coach lost a wrestler we gained a gymnast. Ray competed as a FX specialist for 4 years Helping us place in the College Division NCAA top 10 each year. Became a close friend and rival when he Coached at Bear Creek HS.
Edward Klanecky, Coach Cherry Creek HS. 6361 Blackhawk Way, Aurora,CO 8001
Friend
August 31, 2021
Goodbye my friend, we had alot of good memories and thank you for all the joy you've brought into my life
Neil Miller
Friend
August 24, 2021
The Thomas Johnson Family loved Ray and the USU Gymnastic program. Spent many nights at the Spectrum at the meets as a family over the years growing up. I had the chance as a student trainer to work with the gymnastic team and Ray.
Jay Johnson
Friend
August 24, 2021
I wish I had known of Ray´s passing earlier I would have made the trip down to Mesquite to attend. I had the great pleasure of helping Ray at the gymnastics meets until my graduation in 1988. I also got to spend a summer helping with his gymnastics camps in all the small towns in the West. He was truly one of a kind. Dear Shelly and family I so sorry for your loss. May all these stories of how much he influenced people make your heart happy.
Tracey Lamoreaux (Miller)
School
August 23, 2021
Kaye and Gregg Gensel
August 22, 2021
We were so saddened to hear of Ray's passing. Through the sorrow we will all remember the great and thoughtful man he was. Please know that our hearts and our prayers are with you. Though we will no longer see him we will meet him again in God's promise for our future. With love from all of us to all of you.
Betty Simoneau & Family
August 22, 2021
Vance Grange
August 21, 2021
All of us at Star Gymnastics
August 20, 2021
Condolences to the well-loved family of a remarkable man. His gymnasts were so lucky to have him as a coach and those of us who taught at USU were so lucky to have them as students, because Ray kept them on track to do their best as students as well as athletes! Thank you, Ray and God bless all.
Peter & Mary V Kolesar
August 20, 2021
I am so sorry to hear of Ray's death. I still have fond memories of going to the USU meets. You and your beautiful girls were always a great support to him. I was remembering Ray each time I watched the Olympics. We will remember all of you in prayer. God's peace.
S Marilyn Mark, OSB
August 19, 2021
Shelly. Amanda, Josh, Christina...sending you love and support from across the country. Ray was the person who brought me into the world of coaching, and I can never repay him for taking me under his wing. There are no words to capture this loss. He lives on in all the lives he impacted through gymnastics and beyond. May you find solace and comfort in his memory.
Jennifer Campbell
August 19, 2021
Shelly, The Girls and the grandkids,
Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to you all.
In the short time that we got to know Ray as our neighbor , he was ALWAYS one to share a positive thought, a good laugh and a great smile!
He ALWAYS spoke with great pride about his wife, his daughters, and his grandkids!
Beyond all of his personal accolades and accomplishments, Ray was ALWAYS most proud and boastful about his family in the conversations that we shared, including the last one that we had together last Monday the 9th, when his whole face lit up when he spoke of your most recent family reunion that you had here in Mesquite.
No doubt you all filled his heart with joy and happiness!
Thank you for sharing him with us.
Our deepest sympathies,
Daryl, Maria & Alicia
Daryl, Maria & Alicia
August 19, 2021
We are saddened at the loss of a great neighbor and friend. We enjoyed conversations in our front yards, and we always knew when Ray was barbecuing, no matter what time of year. Ray was selfless, looking after his elderly neighbors across the street, his mother, and being a friend to anyone. He was one of our youngest son's favorite people, and they seemed to have a mutual appreciation for one another. Walt was able to expand his cooking skills at the Corn home. Ray was the first person to show up whenI tried to drive my car through a van on fourth south and main. He was helping direct traffic until the emergency personnel showed up. We offer our heart felt condolences and pray that the Lord will bless and comfort you as you go through this difficult time.
Blair & Marjorie Packer
August 19, 2021
Ray Corn started the first gymnastics club in Logan, Utah and thus provided an opportunity for me to train as a gymnast. The lessons I learned in that sport impacted my life in so many ways. Not the least of these was learning discipline and the understanding that almost anything can be learned if you keep trying long enough. Ray was passionate about the sport and cared deeply for the athletes he coached. In college (well after I had quit the sport) he ran into me on a bad day and brought me into his office to hear about my troubles and offered advice and encouragement. He always made me feel like he was glad to see me.
Jenny L Clements
August 19, 2021
Ugh. So sorry for your loss. So sorry for our loss. Ray was a great friend, mentor, and boss.
Quin Shannon
August 19, 2021
Shelly and family,
So sad to hear of Rays passing. Ray will be remembered by me as a vibrant man with a caring heart who loved competition and was blessed with a heart of gold. I will be forever grateful that he reached out to my daughter and played a huge role in who she has become today. Thank you Ray! I pray now that the grief of his passing will be tempered by the knowledge of his legacy; what a great man he truly was. Peace Shelly, peace...
Brian Felley
August 19, 2021
I´m so sorry to hear of the passing of Ray. May I include my condolences to the family. I only knew Ray for two years when I was the Assistant Women´s Basketball coach at USU. Even in those short two years, he had a profound influence on my future career as a basketball coach. I completed my M.Ed while coaching at USU and did a sport psychology project that included an interview with Ray. I retired in 2019 from El Camino College and showed that interview to my sport psychology class one last time. Thanks, Ray, for being a part of my memories over many years.
Kristy Loesener
August 19, 2021
Dear Shelly and family
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Ray generously bought me from Australia to coach which I will be forever thankful for. His influence and support changed the course of my life in many positive ways. In loving memory and heartfelt condolences from across the miles. May his courageous spirit and legacy live on. With love
Geneen Lynch Reyna.
Geneen Lynch Reyna
August 19, 2021
Ray was a good friend and a great mate of ours. We are truely devastated and deeply saddened by the news of his passing.
Tom and Melinda Goodwin
August 18, 2021
So sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Corn. I was lucky enough to be on his team at the beginning of his career 1980-1984 and what a great adventure it was! Our prayers are with his entire family in hopes they may find comfort in knowing how many lives he influenced in a positive way.
Tami (Hellegas) Einarsson
August 18, 2021
I had the privilege of working at USU with Ray for all of my 30 year career in Athletics. Right now I can see Ray running around the Spectrum on match day like a crazy man making sure everything was ready. He truly was one of a kind. Condolences to Shelly and family.
Ken Peterson
August 18, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss of this great man and wonderful family man, his story tells it all!!! He will leave a great void in the world he was such a part of. He made such a difference in so many peoples lives. We will miss you Ray but you will forever be in our hearts, till we meet again!!!
Shirley Jenkins
August 18, 2021
Ray had a huge impact on my life and career. I will always be grateful for his program starting gymnastics programs in small towns surrounding Logan. I will also love how much gymnastics ended up consuming my time in college, assisting Ray with the adult tumbling classes to working at Altius and coaching at camps in Wyoming. Even if he did try to give me away to the Wyoming gym! Ha. My condolences to the Corn family and their profound loss.
Tayja Grote Kuligowski
August 18, 2021
Ray was a terrific grandpa. That is priceless.
Jeena Nilson
August 18, 2021
Ray always treaded me with great respect. He always called me coach Ahlquist. I enjoyed golfing with him and Shelley. I was heartbroken to hear of his passing.
Clyde Ahlquist
August 18, 2021
I knew Ray both when I was a football player for the Aggies in 1978
And also when I was an Assistant football coach in the 80´s Ray was a one of a kind person who made everybody feel important to him
My prayers are with the Corn family
Patrick Blackburn
August 18, 2021
No words to explain how much we all loved Ray .. we are here for you Prayers to you and your family
Vicki Roberts
August 18, 2021
Coach Corn was an outstanding coach, but more importantly he was an outstanding human being! He made people, young and old, better for knowing him! May peace be with his wife, children, and grandchildren!
Larry and Julie Williams
August 18, 2021
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