Obituary of Samuel Caldwell Corey, Jr.

Samuel "Pops" Caldwell Corey, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on April 20, 2024, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at the age of 80. Born on June 15, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama, Sam spent more than 40 years in the greater Philadelphia area before finally calling North Carolina home.

Sam was a people person at heart and had a unique ability to make a lasting connection with everyone he met. He had a deep passion for his family and friends, often hosting Sunday waffles, memorable parties, and family gatherings. He will be forever remembered for his lovable lighthearted personality, his exploits, stories and tall tales, and for the nicknames he bestowed upon those closest to him. His insatiable curiosity and penchant for adventure often manifested as mischief in his early years. Later in life, it bore out through extensive international travel with his wife Trenna. From safaris in South Africa to paragliding over the French Alps, Sam was eager to live life to its fullest and would never turn down an opportunity to take on a new experience. No matter the country, state, city, town or village, Sam had an uncanny ability to be able to point you to the best local restaurant, dive bar, or barbecue shack.

Sam enjoyed indulging in his hobbies. He was a connoisseur of good food and red wine. Whether grilling a rack of lamb or concocting the perfect spaghetti sauce, he had a passion for cooking, which he shared with loved ones. He enjoyed live concerts and had an affinity for country western music. Saturdays in the fall revolved around Georgia football and the occasional afternoon nap in his chair. As an avid outdoorsman, Sam had a love for golf, skiing, hunting and fishing. He was a second-generation member of Dunwoody Hunt and Fish Club in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which he joined in 1965. During retirement, Bald Head Island served as his second home. Free time was spent fishing the marsh and around the golf course. Using the excuse of walking his beloved dogs, he could often be found scavenging the woods and brambles for other people's lost golf balls.

In his professional life, Sam had a successful independent career. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Insurance and Risk Management, he followed in his family’s footsteps in Life and Health insurance, joining Provident Indemnity Life Insurance Company where he worked in various capacities. While pursuing post-graduate degrees and certifications from Temple, American College, and Purdue, he began his career selling door to door in Erie, Pennsylvania, before moving back to the Philadelphia area and advancing to becoming a Board Member and Senior Vice President. He departed Provident Indemnity Life Insurance Company in 1984 and moved to Columbus, Ohio, to join Consultants and Administrators where he spent several successful years as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Distribution. In 1992 he moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where, with the help of his wife, he founded The Brokerage Resource. Affectionately called “TBR” by the field, after coming to prominence in the insurance industry, Sam served as President of TBR until 2018, at which point he handed the reins to his eldest son, Sam III; the two of them oversaw TBR’s acquisition by Integrity Marketing Group in 2019.

Sam is survived by his wife, Trenna; his sons, Sam Corey III, Lee R,and Russell and their wives, Allison, Emily, and Karina, respectively; his sister, Elizabeth "Teena" Corey; his brother, James and his wife Alice; and his adoring grandchildren, Clay, Kelly, Lulu, Harriet, Eleanor, and Camille. He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Caldwell Corey Sr, and his mother, Elizabeth “Lib” Gnann.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Sam's life will be held at Carolina Meadows in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Saturday, May 18th, from 2:00 - 4:00pm.

Sam will be deeply missed by all who knew him, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unforgettable memories.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to nailbacharitablefoundation.org