James “Buster” Corley, the second name behind the restaurant/arcade Dave & Buster’s, has died at age 72. His cause of death was an apparent suicide; a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Corley opened up a restaurant in the ’70s (Busters), purely for serving good food. Nearby, entrepreneurs David Corriveau operated an arcade (Mr. McCool’s), solely for the purpose of fun and games. As both Dallas locations were frequently visited, the two decided they would team up. In 1982, the very first Dave and Busters restaurant and arcade. David’s name was labeled first after a won coin toss. The pair operated as co-CEOs for several years before they sold the business in 2007 to a private equity firm. Dave died in 2015 at the age of 63.
Buster’s daughter, Kate Corley, spoke little on her father’s death but provided information to CNN.
“Buster Corley had a stroke four months ago that caused severe damage to the communication and personality part of his brain,” she said. “The family asks for privacy during this time.”
The company released a statement, giving Buster their condolences:
“His pioneering spirit and steadfast belief that ‘everybody is somebody’ set the foundation for bringing food and games to millions of Dave & Buster’s guests over the past 40 years. Buster’s passion for hospitality, his demand for excellence, and the deep care he had for his team members were unparalleled. Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time and while we will miss his wise counsel and his easy laugh, the legacy he and Dave built endures,”
