Cory Maxson, a father, a husband, a hero, a leader, and a man who cared deeply for his family and his community. 

Cory Maxson, 71, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,born on January 01,1940, passed on December 25, 2010 in Oakland, California in a heroic act shielding his students from gun fire. 

Cory was a son to his loving mother Rose and his hardworking father Troy. His early life was rough, growing up in a time where colored folk weren’t treated fairly. Despite his living factors Cory was a great student and was even given a chance of recruitment to play college football. This football dream was not fulfilled due to certain circumstances so Cory leaves to join the Marines right out of high school. 

Cory continues to serve as a United States Marine for 20 years. He fought in the Vietnam war, survived, and retired. During this time he met the love of his life Lucille Maxson. They got married and moved to Oakland,California. They had two amazing sons, Troy Gabriel Maxson and Cory Jr. Maxson.

After his long years spent serving as a Marine, Cory retired and devoted his time to coaching the local high school football team. He was a great leader for the youth in his community and often stood as a father figure for a lot of young men. Cory loved his family and raised his sons with pure love. Both his sons grew up to be great men, in fact in their early adulthood both boys would end up being a part of the original Black Panther Party. Cory’s first born, named after his father and uncle Troy Gabriel Maxson grew up to be a phenomenal professional football player. His second born son Cory Jr. Maxson is now a successful lawyer and advocate for the African American community. 

Cory spent most of his older years going to church every Sunday with his love Lucille and hanging out with his students on the football field and out. Cory would try to convince his momma Rose to come live with him in California but she insisted on staying in their old house his father bought. Still Cory would visit her every christmas.

Cory always tried to teach his students about forgiveness and courage. He often told them stories about his relationship with his father in hopes that it will benefit them in their life's decisions. On December 25, 2010, Christmas morning, Cory was out visiting his less fortunate students to bring them gifts as he does every year. While talking to a group of his students, a drive-by shooting ensues, Cory makes the brave action to shove and jump on top of his students shielding them from the gun fire. All of his kids that were there survived and Cory was named a hero. His last words being “Sound the horn uncle Gabe I’m comin’ home.”.