All this information is a product of my memory. No research was done.

Corky’s real name was Duane Conner Rhyne Jr.

He was born in the 1950’s in Alice or Kingsville, TX to Duane Sr. and Mother Gladys. I don’t remember where the nickname came from, but it stayed with him forever.

There were several things that made him a special kid. One was that he was the first grandchild of Hardy and Livonia Rhyne and therefore the first nephew for me.

We got to know Corky because he spent a lot of time with grandparents primarily because his parents visited quite often. Once his grandparents took them full time as his parents were having trouble with their marriage.

When I was playing football in high school in the 50s, they would bring him to games. Several times after games ended, he would run out to me and I would put him on my shoulders and he would eagerly join the celebrations.

Corky was very smart and after he finished high school he was working and going to training school. He was offered a highly rated vocational education, but for some reason it didn’t work out.

Corky got married and soon had a daughter that was the pride of life!

He once worked for company that sent him to the valley. Every time he made the trip, he would stop by to visit Peggy and I when we lived in Corpus Christi.

Corky lived a pretty successful life to Uncle bill and Aunt Peggy. We will really miss him at our annual Rhyne/Conner Reunion. God Bless Corky. May he rest in peace!