On January 2, 2023, James "Buster" Corley, co-founder of the renowned restaurant and entertainment chain Dave & Buster's, passed away at the age of 72 in Dallas, Texas. Born on January 2, 1951, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Corley was found in his residence near White Rock Lake with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Corley's daughter, Kate, revealed that he had suffered a stroke four months prior, which caused severe damage to the communication and personality parts of his brain. This health setback significantly impacted his quality of life in the months leading up to his death.
In the late 1970s, Corley owned a restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he met David Corriveau, who operated an entertainment venue nearby. Observing that patrons frequented both establishments, they combined their concepts, leading to the opening of the first Dave & Buster's in Dallas in 1982. The name order was decided by a coin toss, which Corriveau won.
Dave & Buster's has since expanded to over 140 locations across the United States, offering a unique combination of dining and entertainment. The company described Corley as an "innovative and creative force," whose pioneering spirit and belief that "everybody is somebody" laid the foundation for the brand's success over the past four decades.
Corley is survived by his wife of 55 years, Leacy Suddath Corley, and his daughter, Kate Corley Lassiter. His legacy continues through the countless lives he touched and the enduring success of the Dave & Buster's brand.
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