James "Buster" Corley, Dave & Buster's Co-Founder, Dies in Apparent Suicide

DALLAS, TX — Dave & Buster’s Co-founder, James “Buster” Corley, has died of an apparent suicide. He was 72. 

In a statement released by Dave & Buster’s, the entertainment restaurant said that Corley was an innovative and creative force. 

“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,” Dave & Busters said.

“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,” according to the company’s statement.

The Dallas Police Department said they found Corley with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at a Dallas residence on Monday, Jan. 2. Corley was taken to the hospital, where he died. His daughter, Kate, confirmed his death in a statement to the press. 

“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.”

From Dave & Buster’s website, the first store opened in 1982. The two young men headed to "Restaurant Row" in Dallas, where they found an empty 40,000 square-foot warehouse. Having been proclaimed certifiably crazy by many in the restaurant industry, Dave and Buster dove headlong into construction. With Dave’s name first because he won a coin toss, they opened the first Dave & Buster’s in December 1982.

Co-founder Dave Corriveau died at the age of 65 in 2015.

Dave & Buster’s helped pioneer the eat, play, and watch strategy that multiple franchises across the country have replicated since.