Cory Baker Brantley never met a stranger. If you were standing alone in a room, Cory found you first, and he had a way of making you feel like you belonged there, like you deserved to be there. He had the kind of strength that made you feel safe and the kind of heart that made you feel welcome. He was rugged and sharp, the kind of guy who would stand between you and trouble without a second thought. He was also kind, loyal, and gentle in ways that surprised people who only saw the tough exterior. Those who knew him best loved him for both.

Cory was every bit as brilliant as he was funny. He had a saying for everything and a quick, dry wit, and he could get away with saying exactly what everyone else was thinking. His humor was never just for show. More often than not, it was how he took care of people, easing a heavy moment or reminding someone not to take life too seriously. He loved country music, Aggie football, time with family, and any excuse to bring people together.

Cory had a fierce sense of justice and could not stand to see anyone mistreated. He would get fired up about it, but he never stayed mad for long. He was honest, open about who he was, and spent his life trying to understand himself better. He was independent and strong, even in the seasons when he didn't feel strong, and he often carried his own burdens quietly so the people he loved wouldn't worry. He loved Jesus, and his faith was practical and real. When life knocked him down, he believed there was a reason and something to learn from it. Then he would get back up. In his own words, "Can't keep a good man down."

Cory loved his family deeply. He adored his mom and dad, his brother, Beau, and his sister, Wendy. After losing Wendy, he spoke of her often and shared her story with love, and he used what he learned through his own grief to comfort others walking through loss.

Most of all, Cory was present. He always answered the phone, or he called right back. He was a helper to a fault, the friend who showed up without being asked and stayed as long as you needed him. When Cory was around, you felt safe, protected, and loved. He was so steady and so kind that it was easy to take him for granted, and impossible to replace. To his cousins he was more like a brother. To his closest friends he was a rock.

Gatherings will never be quite the same without him. We will miss his laugh, his honesty, his strength, and his tender heart, and the way he made every room feel like home.