James “Buster” Corley, co-founder of popular arcade restaurant chain Dave & Buster’s, has died, the company said.
He was 72 years old.
Dave & Buster’s remembered Corley as an “innovator and creative force.”
“His pioneering spirit and belief that ‘everyone is somebody’ laid the foundation for Dave & Buster’s to bring food and games to millions of guests over the past 40 years. Buster’s passion for hospitality, his demand for excellence, and his deep care for his team members were unmatched,” said a company representative.
“Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time, and while we will miss his wise counsel and easy laugh, the legacy he built with Dave lives on,” the statement said.
The company did not release a description of the death.
The Dallas Police Department said officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 6600 block of Yosemite Lane in the Lakewood neighborhood just before 7 p.m. Monday and found a man “with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
He was taken to hospital where he died. The police department has not released the identity of that person to the public.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Corley died Monday. The cause and manner of death were not known as of Wednesday afternoon.
His family said Dallas WFAA-TV police said the man described in the incident is Corley.
“Buster Corley had a stroke four months ago that severely damaged the communication and personality part of his brain,” Corley’s daughter Kate Corley told the station. “The family requests privacy during this time.”
He told NBC News: “Buster was and always will be a legend to us. He is a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and co-worker to many. We hope his motto ‘everyone is somebody’ will live on forever.”
Corley and David Corriveau opened the first Dave & Buster’s in December 1982 in a 40,000 square foot warehouse in Dallas. It has since become a franchise with more than 140 locations, according to the company. Website.
After running their separate businesses, the duo decided to open a unique dining and entertainment experience. In the late 1970s, Corley owned a restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas, while Corriveau owned a fun and games business a few doors down. The two found their bosses rotating between their two businesses and decided to join forces.
Corriveau dead 63 in 2015.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255Text or visit HOME on 741741 SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
