Oakman legend Bull Corry passes away at 60

OAKMAN — Richard Bull Corry, known for his work ethic, humor, generosity, and love of family, passed away Saturday at the age of 60.

Corry's death came as a shock to the small town and all of Walker County who knew Bull and his beloved Old York Farms.

He battled cancer in 2019, after a lesion was found on his spine, and chemotherapy and radiation treatments reportedly cured him of cancer but damaged his heart as a result.

His wife, Stephanie, shared on Facebook back in May that he had a heart cath procedure to help strengthen his heart, but it didn't slow the Bull down."He’s wide open in this room and you’d never know a thing was going on. He definitely keeps this crew stirred up and laughing," she shared.

In a post to Facebook on Sunday, Stephanie Corry said her husband started Saturday like any other day — "up early and wide open." She said he had been working around Old York and the Bull Pen Restaurant that day. After cooking him breakfast, she left for a bit to return home and find first responders attending to Corry, who they suspected had a heart attack.

"He was enjoying his time sitting watching a western with Chloe until he went to cook at the restaurant, he was all happy and kidding around all day the kids say and even got in trouble with a funny post he made on social media," Stephanie Corry said.

She continued, "But one of the things that Bull was always good at doing was giving surprises. When all the dust had settled I stood in our empty living room alone and find he had made time during his busy day yesterday to buy me fresh flowers and arrange them in a vase and set them on the table for me to see as I entered the room. It was as if he knew today was his day."

His daughter, Cashan Corry, shared Sunday, "My partner in crime, you fought forever. You would never know what he was going through."

Chloe Corry, his other daughter, said in a post to Facebook Sunday, "I love you forever and always. I hope I make you so proud. You were a good ole boy and the best dad in the world."

Corry was always a family man first and spent his life preserving his family's legacy through the marvel that is Old York Farms.One of the first settlers of Oakman was the Corry family.

According to historical sources, Joseph Mortimer Corry settled at the now-Corry homeplace and had a saw and grist mill business in Oakman. The town was once named Day's Gap, with Mortimer Corry known as "The Duke of Day's Gap." Generations passed and Bull Corry inherited the family land from his father, Harold Corry.

Bull Corry told 78 Magazine that the tourist attraction Old York Farms was created by him and his father and called it a "product of 30-plus years of labor."

Old York, which opened in 1989, is designed like an old western town and has been used multiple times as a movie set, a popular place for photos, the host site for fundraisers and campaigns, and simply viewed as a jewel in Oakman and a picture of life how life used to be years ago when the Corry land was settled. Many celebrities have even visited the farm through the years, but the real celebrity was always Bull.

The popular Bull Ben Steakhouse & BBQ Restaurant was added to the Corry family homestead years later and has won multiple awards for best steak. In what has become a catch phrase, Bull Corry always signed each social media post and ended nearly every interview by saying, "Eat more steak." The hashtag, #EatMoreSteak was widely used in hundreds of tribute posts for The Bull over the weekend.

He told 78 Magazine in 2022 that operating Old York and the Bull Pen was "a labor of love."

Bull Corry had a full life outside the farm as well. An Al.com article reported he was the mayor of Oakman for eight years, a coal miner, and an amatuer boxer and rodeo rider. He ran for the District 14 seat of the Alabama House of Representatives in 2018, under the slogan "A Working Man for Working Folks." He said in his campaign announcement, "I have the crazy idea that a working man, small businessman, farmer, family man can represent the people of District 14. I intend to conduct this campaign in a gentlemanly fashion, as I want no part of negativity."

Corry most recently had a Sunday afternoon show on WJLX Oldies 101.5 titled "Bull Corry's Outlaw Country." The radio station had a tribute show for Corry Sunday afternoon during his usual time slot.

A message of condolence was shared on the Town of Oakman's Facebook page Sunday on behalf of the Town of Oakman, Oakman Town Council and Oakman Mayor Cory Franks that read, "The Town of Oakman would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mitchell Patton and to the family of Bull Corry. Both Mitchell and Bull have been pillars in our community for many years and made an impact on the Oakman Community daily. Mitchell and Bull were dedicated to helping others, and will be greatly missed. May God bring peace and strength to your hearts during this difficult time. We are sharing in your sorrow."

Patton passed away at the age of 81 on Thursday, Aug. 10, and was a longtime owner of the Oakman SuperMarket.

Visitation for Bull Corry will be Tuesday, Aug. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kilgore-Green Funeral Home. His funeral service will be at 7 p.m. There will be a graveside service the following day at 10 a.m. at Friendship Estates Cemetery.

Corry always lived each day the fullest. After beating cancer, Corry told 78 Magazine, "The way I look at it, I'm on bonus time, so I'm not complaining. I'm less worried about little stuff. It's all about the big picture. One thing I can definitely tell you is prayer works."

The ways in which Corry served, worked and loved will always be remembered by everyone who called him a friend and had the privilege of his time. In honor of The Bull, #EatMoreSteak.