Gregory Roe Corr, 57, of Bigfork, passed away on July 1 from cancer. His soul mate and wife Cheryl was at his side. He fought bravely since being diagnosed in 2014 with lipo-sarcoma. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 7 at Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell with a burial service to follow at the Bigfork Community Cemetery.
Greg was born in Seattle, Wash. on June 24, 1958, the third child to Carolyn (Lien) and Odon Corr. They eventually moved to South Dakota where Greg graduated high school and enrolled in South Dakota State University, earning a degree in journalism in 1982
Greg began his long and accomplished career in the small newspaper business while interning at various newspapers in South Dakota during his college years. He then worked for and/or owned numerous newspapers in Colorado, Iowa, Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Cascade, Mont. and lastly, was owner/publisher of the Whitehall Ledger in Whitehall, Mont. for the past nine years. His newspapers won many achievements and awards and in June of this year, he was awarded Master Editor/Publisher by the Montana Newspaper Association, a prestigious accolade to top off his thirty-five years in the business.
Greg had a love of the outdoors, and during his younger days, he worked summers at Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Denali National Park in Alaska. He was also athletic and rode his bike on twenty-mile rides for exercise.
In 1991, he married Lisa Connors and they later divorced.
Greg’s pride and joy were his two children, Jerrica and Keaton. Although he lived apart from them for some of their childhood, he made every effort to visit them on weekends and have them spend summers with him in Whitehall. He loved summertime when they came to stay with him in Whitehall.
Greg was a kind, gentle and generous soul and made everyone around him comfortable. He had a warm genuine smile and was a good listener and counselor. He donated gallons of his blood to the Red Cross and United Blood Centers. He started a coin collection drive in Whitehall to help travelers who were down and out and needed a boost. He was on the board of directors at Liberty Place in Whitehall and served on the board of the Montana Newspaper Association. Greg was everyone’s friend and gave freely of his time and energy. He loved small communities and served each one in which he lived.
In 2008, Greg met the love of his life, his wife Cheryl. They spent their days running the newspaper, walking their dogs and enjoying life. They took many trips and vacations together as the newspaper would allow. Their favorite trip was to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Greg loved Mexican restaurants and he and Cheryl frequented their favorite one in Butte often.
When Greg was diagnosed with cancer, he and Cheryl made plans to sell the Whitehall Ledger and move near Cheryl’s hometown of Kalispell. They bought a small cottage along Highway 35 with some cherry trees and a gorgeous view of Flathead Lake. This is where Greg spent his remaining days.
Greg was preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn. He is survived by his wife Cheryl Cheman Corr of Bigfork, children Jerrica and Keaton Corr of Post Falls, ID, father Odon Corr and wife Joan Corr of Wessington Springs, S.D., sisters Jodie (Mike) Dirksen of Mason City, Iowa, Nancy Froning and her fiancé Wayne Kolbeck of Iowa, Karie Waters of Wessington Springs and numerous nieces and nephews. His two faithful canine companions Pica and Yukon will miss him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Flathead Hospice, Bigfork Ambulance or the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation.
