ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Delbert Maurice Corum passed away on July 6, 2023 in the Atlanta area at the age of 90. He and his wife, Arden Corum, were long-time residents of 63rd Street in Virginia Beach, and for many years annually hosted a summer “Camp Corum” extended family beach event for their children and grandchildren. They were members of the Cavalier Golf &Yacht Club, where he served as President for several years.
Del was born in 1932 in eastern Kentucky during the Great Depression and later raised in Indiana when his family moved. He was surrounded by an industrious and loving family and expressed his interest in flying at a young age.
Upon enlisting in the US Air Force in the early 1950’s, his intellect and hard work led to flight school, where the newly formed Air Force was moving into the jet age. Over his military career he flew the T-33 subsonic jet trainer, F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, and F-4 Phantom while serving with the Tactical Air Command. This included a year flying the F-100 in Vietnam, and later commanding an F-4 squadron in Germany (23rd TFS).
Del and the family moved frequently over the years, with significant time at Turner AFB (GA), Myrtle Beach AFB (SC), Langely AFB (VA), and Spangdahlem AFB and Stuttgart, Germany. Life was an adventure!
He retired as a Colonel after almost 30 years in military life, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was equally as proud at completing a bachelor degree during his military career, and then obtaining a masters degree while attending the Air War College. He then launched into another 10 years working for BDM Consulting before losing his late wife, Robbie, to cancer.
Del spent over 20 years volunteering with Lee’s Friends in Norfolk helping support people living with cancer by driving them to appointments (while Arden helped in the office).
He is survived by his wife Arden Corum, his sons Bert Corum (spouse Rena Corum), Brian Corum (spouse Amalia Corum), and daughter Sandi Klein (spouse Joey Klein), along with her sons Jeff Gentry (spouse Betsy Gentry) and Alan Gentry (spouse Rynne Gentry). He is further survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with more on the way, along with sister Betty Schumacher and brother Dennis Corum.
He is predeceased in death by wife Robbie (Downey) Corum, parents David Lawrence &Beatrice Corum, and brother David Lawrence (“DL”) Corum Jr.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation and love to Jeff &Betsy Gentry and Alan Gentry for reviewing and locating retirement village options in Atlanta for Del and Arden, and then along with Arden helping oversee and manage Del’s medical care needs over the last several months.
Services will be held at a later date, with burial expected at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Lee’s Friends (7400 Hampton Blvd, Room 201, Norfolk, VA 23505), or Agape Hospice Group (1395 South Marietta Parkway SE, Bldg 750, Marietta, GA 30067-4440).
