James Ray  Corder

James Ray Corder, Nickelsville, VA

James Ray Corder, Nickelsville, VA entered into eternal rest on January,10,2018 at Indian Path Medical Center after a brief battle with lung cancer. He was of the Baptist faith.
Born in Coeburn, VA on June 12, 1935, he was the son of the late Lonnie James Corder and the late Frankie Gillenwater Robinette.
In addition to his father and mother, his loving wife, Glenna June Corder, and younger brother, Billy Joe Corder preceded him in death.
Ray was a former employee of Eastman Chemical Company and retired in 1993 from B-162 technical services (ECPI) after 25 years. He was a very successful businessman and entrepreneur of many businesses.
He purchased his first business in 1972 and over the years other businesses were built including; The Country Corral, Scotty’s Market, People’s Muffler Shop, Nickelsville Restaurant, NAPA Auto Parts, and Corder’s Market.
Ray was also responsible for negotiating and bringing a Pizza Plus to Nickelsville by constructing and leasing property to the Pizza Plus franchise. The Pizza Plus in Nickelsville has been in business for the last 25 years.
Ray took pride in all that he had accomplished and appreciated all the loyal customers that played a part in that success over the last 46 years.
People enjoyed being around Ray, for he loved to joke around and made people laugh. Many individuals came to Ray through the years and sought out his expertise in business and he kindly obliged. Ray was also very well respected by many people in the business community.
Surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Tammy Corder, Nickelsville, VA, Greg Corder, Nickelsville, VA, and Scott and Michelle Corder, Church Hill, TN; five grandchildren, Derek Corder, Wesley Corder, Courtney Templeton, Clayson Corder, and Crewz Corder, as well as two great grandchildren, Logan Corder and Hunter Corder; along with several nieces and nephews, Dara Easterly, Angela Dale, John Collins, Tyler Tomlinson, and Dakota Tomlinson Dill.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2018 at the Gate City Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with the Reverend Steve Collins officiating. A eulogy will be given by Thomas Hillman.
Graveside services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, VA. Steve Corder, Greg Corder, Scott Corder, Derek Corder, Wesley Corder, and Vannis Scalf will serve as pallbearers. Leonard Stallard, Thomas Hillman, and Ed Jennings will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery for the graveside service.
An online guest register is available for the Corder family at www.gatecityfunerals.com.
Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of James Ray Corder.