James Corkern passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 7th in his Slidell home, surrounded by family. Jim was the master of all trades, he had the engineering "knack." He could fix any machine or solve any problem in no time flat. He enjoyed playing cards; Spades was his game and many good nights were spent sitting around the dining room table laughing and trying to beat "Papa." Jim never met a stranger, and could always be found telling a story or chatting it up with a friend. Jim was also an Air Force Vietnam Veteran and an avid aviator. He flew the mighty C-130 Hercules over Vietnam and Laos, supplying ground troops with ammunition and supplies, and as Mission Commander, rescuing downed aviators from enemy territory. After retiring from Proctor & Gamble, his second career, he enjoyed several hobbies including the NorthShore Corvette Club and piloting his own Cessna 172 with his wife, Beverly to visit friends and family. Jim was born on September 1, 1946 in Baton Rouge, LA to James and Gilberta Corkern. Jim married his high school sweetheart in August of 1967; they had been married for 50 years. Jim is proceeded in death by his father, James Urban Corkern Sr., and survived by his mother, Gilberta Corkern Galtier, and his angel wife Beverly Corkern, and their beloved children; Greg Corkern (Melissa), Teresa Corkern Ryals (Sean), and Julie Corkern Juneau (Chris), ten grandchildren--Gregory, Katie, Theodore, Jessica, Ethan, Hannah, Joseph, Victoria, John David, Zoe, as well as, brother Keith Corkern, sister Sharon Corkern Bourgeois and numerous nieces and nephews. Please join us at a Mass celebrating his life, Friday, May 12th. Visitation begins at 10:30 am followed by Mass at 12 noon at St. Luke's the Evangelist Catholic Church located at 910 Cross Gates Blvd in Slidell, LA 70461. Burial will be at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, 75376 River road, St. Benedict, LA 70457. Please visit www.honakerforestlawn.com to sign guestbook. Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.