Arthur Dudley Coley, Sr.

Arthur Dudley Coley Sr. passed from this life Sunday, December 10th, at Baylor-Scott & White, peacefully surrounded by loved ones. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 23rd at the Cultural Activities Center in Temple, Texas.

Art was born on November 2nd, 1943, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas, to parents Jesse Lamar and Gladys Rae Martin Coley. He was always proud to be a B.O.I. – “Born on the Island.” In 1950, after his father’s death, Art moved to Temple with his mother and brother to live with his grandmother, Bertha “Big Mama” Martin. After attending nursing school, Mrs. Coley bought a house and raised her two sons on her own.

Art graduated from Temple High School in 1963 and soon after enlisted in the United States Navy. Stationed out of Pearl Harbor on the U.S.S. John S. McCain, Art was deployed to Vietnam from September 1965 to March 1966. Upon completing his commitment to serve his country, he returned to Texas and met the love of his life, Brenda Kay Pennington. They married on May 31st, 1969, and spent 54 years together as life partners, loving and understanding each other unlike anyone had ever done.

Art hired onto the Santa Fe Railroad in 1973. He was proud to operate as a conductor, and retired 32 years later in 2005.

In 1985, Art being the entrepreneur that he was, the Coley family opened the French Quarter in Temple and served the community burgers and curly fries for two decades.

Art was a member of a 12-step program, one that he credited with his 43 years of sobriety. He found connection and support that led him to deeper relationships with his wife, children, friends, and eventually grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He knew that his actions extended further than himself and promised his sobriety to those he held closest.

Like most, Art was a man of many favorites: his 1955 Chevy Bel Air, dancing at Sefcik Hall, and his Sam’s Club membership card. But above all else, he loved to tell stories. He was known to spend hours on end sharing memories, keeping his friends and family beyond interested in what he had to say.

Art was not only interesting, but he was also interested. He took to heart the things his loved ones cared about and ensured they knew he was there to cheer them on. He spent his most cherished moments at children’s and grandchildren’s sports games and recitals but enjoyed even more the aftermath when he had the opportunity to talk to them and brag about just how proud he was.

Those left to honor and cherish his memory are his wife, Brenda Kay Coley; children Christopher Coley and wife, Tonya, Arthur Coley Jr., and wife Jean, Jennifer Coley Smith, and husband Jon, Jeffrey Coley, and wife Michelle; niece Lisa Coley; 9 grandchildren Hannah Coley, Arthur “Lennon” Coley III and wife Meagan, Christian Coley, and wife Megan, Eric Coley, Jonah Smith, Gunnar Coley, Julia Kay Smith, Katelyn Coley, Jackson Coley; and great-granddaughter Rylie Jean Coley.

All memorials may be made to Troy Sobriety Foundation, P.O. Box 133, Troy, Texas 76579.