Howard C. Colley

HOWARD CHARLES COLLEY was born December 22, 1925 in Oxford, AL to Bernard Benjamin and Alice Luker Colley. He moved to Raleigh, TN as a child and attended Bartlett High School. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norma Kingery Colley; daughter Nancy Todd (Scotty) of Bartlett, TN and great grandson Colton Todd of Tangerine, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bernard B. Colley, Jr., and Edward Colley and his grandson, Adam Todd. He was in the boat repair and water ski manufacturing business with Colley & Dave's for 28 years and retired from Jones Truck Lines after 23 years. He was a charter member of Broadmoor Baptist Church and a charter member of Raleigh Masonic Lodge and Bartlett World War II Veterans Group. In the late 1940's, he was Scout Master for a Raleigh Boy Scout Troop. He always enjoyed spending time in his garden and flower beds. He especially loved restoring and showing his 1949 Chevy truck. He was a proud Veteran of World War II. He joined in January, 1944 and served in the US Navy on the USS Tate, participating in amphibious cargo assault landings as part of the Western Islands Attack Group. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict and remained in the Navy Reserve until 1954. In 1969 he joined the Tennessee Air National Guard and retired as Master Sgt. All total he served his country 28 years during three wars and peacetime. One of his greatest thrills was to be part of the very first trip with Forever Young Senior Wish Organization to view the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Celebration of Life services will be this afternoon, Saturday, October 26 at 2:00 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Road, with visitation beginning at 12 noon. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests memorials be sent to Forever Young Senior Wish Organization P.O. Box 1381, Collierville, TN 38027 or the charity of donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.memphisfuneralhome.net