Scott Allen Corey, age 54, of Starkville, Mississippi, died February 5, 2014 at The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. He was born on December 11, 1959, in Starkville to the late Dr. Marion Willson Corey and Nancy Miner Corey.

He graduated from Starkville High School in 1977. He received a Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design and Photography from Mississippi State University in 1985 and a Master of Science, Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1998. Scott was all but dissertation (ABD) at University of Southern Mississippi for a Doctor of Philosophy, Communication. His dissertation topic was “Media Coverage of Hurricane Katrina by Television and Newspaper Outlets Located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

Scott began his career as a photographer at Mississippi State University. He moved to the Gulf Coast in 1986 as a staff photographer for K-Mar at Keesler Air Force Base. He was a Deacon at First Baptist Church in Biloxi, an active member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Bicycle Club and the owner of Scott Corey Photography. While in Biloxi, Scott experienced Hurricane Katrina, which made a lasting impact on his life. Scott left K-Mar as a Project Manager in 2008 to rejoin the staff at MSU as a Senior Extension Associate/Photographer.

Scott married the love of his life, Leslie McKee, on August 23, 2008. They reunited at their 30th Starkville High School reunion and married a year later. Although they did not have children, Gracie (their Boston Terrier) brought love and laughter to their days.

Scott was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Starkville. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and many professional photography organizations. His passions included music, guitar, bicycling and photography. In 1976, at age 16, he participated in Bike Centennial, riding his bicycle across the country, from the Pacific Ocean in Oregon to the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia. Scott was an avid reader and loved to tell stories, especially of his childhood days on the MSU campus. He loved the Smokey Mountains and the beach. He was happiest making people laugh.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie McKee Corey; brother, Mark Corey (Margaret) of Niskayuna, New York; sister, Nannette Corey Woods (David) of Boca Raton, Florida; niece Mary Corey and nephews Michael Corey, Cody Woods and Cory Woods. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Marion Willson Corey and Nancy Miner Corey.

The Service of Celebration will be held on February 7 at First Presbyterian Church at 307 University Drive, Starkville, Mississippi, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will precede the service from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the church. The burial will be at Memorial Garden Park Cemetery immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Palmer Children’s Home of Columbus or St. Jude Hospital of Memphis.