Calvin was born in Hayden, Colorado October 19, 1926 to John F. and Minnie J. (Vaughn) Coley. He had two brothers Bill and Frank and three sisters Ruth, Lena, and Ruby. The family moved to Palisade in 1929 where he lived until 1939 when they moved to NE Grand Junction. Shortly after moving to GJ his father died. The family went through hard times and Calvin knew at a young age that he wanted to take care of his mother so he tried to enlist in the Navy but was too young and was turned away. He worked in and around GJ until he tried again to enlist in the Navy for the second time at age 17 and was accepted and went off to boot camp serving in WWII from 1944 -1947. Calvin returned to GJ and worked as a truck driver for Pacific Fruit and then married Phyllis May Inman on July 15, 1950. He drove trucks across the United States many times and was employed by City Market, Babe Haller. He was an ice road trucker in Amchitka, Alaska, and drove a 105’ long cylinder crackling tower to an oil refinery across 120 miles of mountain terrain without incident. After returning from Alaska he worked for US Mail and then the Mesa County Road Department where he was employed from 1978 to 1993 into retirement. Calvin was a very dedicated employee and took pride in every job he worked.Calvin was a great mechanic; he had a passion for working on cars, trucks and tractors. He raised and boarded horses and enjoyed farming. He was an avid reader and never without a book at the end of the day. He always taught his family to never give up, to stand up for yourself and always work hard. He would always be more than willing to help out his friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and wife Phyllis. Survivors include his son Calvin James Coley, daughter Barbara Coley, grandsons Myles Eugene Roop, Justin James Coley, Creed Freedom Coley, granddaughter Angela Christine (husband Frank) Gleason and 9 great grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for Monday, November 24, 2014 at 12PM, at Martin Mortuary with military honors to follow at the VA Cemetery at 3pm.
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