Former Collinsville Mayor Wayne ‘Red’ McCorkle died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024.
McCorkle was born Sept. 4, 1933 in Woodbine, Texas. He graduated from Collinsville High School in 1952 and was a lifelong supporter of Collinsville ISD and Pirate Athletics.
He married Shirley Jean Boren on April 16, 1953. She preceded him in death in 2001.
The McCorkles raised their, now very extended, family in Collinsville and dedicated their lives to the community. Red never missed a Collinsville sporting event or a high school graduation. He worked the gate at school events for decades.
“I’ve always said, if something is important, you show up. With Red, you knew what was important to him,” Collinsville ISD superintendent Matt Davenport said. “The town, the community and the kids of Collinsville, because he was always present for the kids and the community. He has meant a lot to the school over the last several decades, from driving buses, keeping gate at the football games, to supporting the kids of Collinsville. Red is the epitome of ‘Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate.’”
According to his family, serving two terms as Mayor of Collinsville was also a highlight in his life.
“Red McCorkle led the city during a time of growth and change,” Collinsville Mayor Derek Kays said. “He was the first one to offer a helping hand and his type of servant leadership was an inspiration to future leaders.”
Beyond public service and school volunteer hours, Red loved Christmas. He showcased his love of the holiday and its meaning in his larger-than-life displays at his home every year.
He was affectionately known as “Mr. Christmas” and it was his recent relocation to assisted living that ended Red’s continuous run of being featured on the annual Keep Collinsville Beautiful Holiday Tour of Homes.
This year’s tour was dedicated to Red’s legacy.
Red’s greatest love in life was his family. They say he never missed a birthday or holiday, even up until the end.
Red’s grandson Ryan Patterson shared some sentiments on Facebook the morning he passed away:
“Most of all, when I think of PawPaw I think of Christmas. Growing up, late Christmas Eve we got our presents with Mom and Dad, but Christmas morning was always spent at PawPaw’s house… PawPaw’s Christmas decorations in town were a sight to behold and likely kept the power company profitable for the year. A fitting time for a death for a good man, an awesome Grandad, a pillar of our family and the community, a person I’ll always associate with Christmas.”
Funeral services for Wayne ‘Red’ McCorkle were held Friday, Dec. 27 in the Collinsville High School gym.
