James G. Corbett ’41

Born and raised in Bay City, Texas, Jim died April 29, 2010, in Houston.

He came to Princeton from Woodberry Forest School, majored in geological engineering, and joined Tower Club. A multi-event track and field athlete, he competed in both the pole vault and broad jump, winning letters all three years. He roomed with C.H. Robinson his first two years and then with  Rich Preyer, S.C. Williams, and Phil Shannon.

Jim enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a meteorologist, after first earning a master’s degree in petroleum engineering at Stanford.

After service in India, Jim had an interesting life. In his own words, he functioned more or less as a petroleum engineer, banker, farmer/rancher, divorcee, and early retiree, which included stints at the Bank of Commerce in Houston and Texas National Bank of Commerce.

In 1965, Jim went on his own as an investor and manager of the family farm, raising cattle and growing cotton and corn.

When his health deteriorated, his daughter Wendy devoted herself to his care. Jim is survived by his son, Michael ’73; his daughters, Kitty, Wendy, and Mary; and six grandchildren.