Eric Corey brought joy of hunting to others with disabilities

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Corey

Updated: February 22, 2012 8:02AM

KNOX — Eric Corey, who shared his passion for hunting with other disabled people, battled ALS for almost 10 years.

The Knox resident died Jan. 18 at age 25.

Corey began to show signs of the illness at age 15 and was diagnosed by age 16.

Still, he didn’t let the debilitating illness, one that took his grandfather’s life, limit him.

The avid hunter — with the help of his parents, Doug and Carol Corey — found ways to stay mobile and continue hunting.

Corey believed that others with disabilities like him should have a chance to experience hunting.

He had many such experiences himself, including hunting trips to Canada and Africa.

Over the past three years, Corey worked to build such a program, bringing children and young adults to Knox for two days of turkey hunting called the Turkey Tracks Hunt. The first hunt brought 10 young hunters together, and many shot turkeys with the help of their guides.

With the aid of charitable organizations, local hunters, farmers and guides, more than 60 people have participated, free of charge, in the turkey hunt since 2009.

One of the first to help was avid hunter and former Indiana Hoosiers basketball player Landon Turner, who is paralyzed from the chest down from an auto accident. Turner was a motivational speaker the first year.

Services for Corey will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Knox Community Center.

Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox and one hour prior to services at the Knox Community Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Turkey Tracks Eric Corey Foundation.