Buster Corley Obituary

James “Buster” Corley was a co-founder of the Dave & Buster’s restaurant and arcade chain.

James “Buster” Corley died on January 2 2023, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home near White Rock Lake. He was 72.

According to statement from his daughter Kate, “Buster Corley had a stroke four months ago that caused severe damage to the communication and personality part of his brain.”

Dave & Buster’s paid tribute to their late co-founder in a Facebook post shared Wednesday, beginning with the quote, “Everybody is somebody, everybody is a star.”

“RIP to Buster Corley, to whom we owe half our name and all of our thanks,” the company wrote. “You will be missed.”

Buster Corley began his career as the owner of Buster’s, a bar in Little Rock, Arkansas, named after his childhood nickname.

Dave & Buster’s was founded in 1982 by him and David Corriveau (1951-2015), who owned a gaming business next door.

They opened their first Dave & Buster’s in Dallas, combining their two previous businesses into a full-service restaurant with a large video arcade. They have grown to over 150 locations over the years. Corley was once the CEO of Dave & Buster’s.