Former state Representative Jim Coley died Monday morning, apparently from the effects of a myeloma cancer, for which he had been receiving chemotherapy. Coley, 71, was a Republican, representing District 97 in northeast Shelby County, and was known for his ability to work across the political aisle.
Coley was first elected to the General Assembly in 2006. A teacher at Bolton High School for many years, he was a member of several legislative committees and subcommittees dealing with education. He announced in 2020 that he would not seek reelection because he had been diagnosed with early dementia. The cancer diagnosis followed soon thereafter.
One of Coley’s first political acts was to serve in 1974 as campaign manager for Democratic state Representative Mike Kernell, who would remain a close personal friend. Kernell remembers: “He was the first person in Tennessee to register to vote as an 18-year-old when the law was changed allowing it. His first vote was for Richard Nixon in 1972, I believe. But he was a moderate’s moderate. He’ll be missed.”
Coley was also instrumental as a member of a group that organized to resurrect the Orpheum, and he served as a manager at the theater.
Coley is survived by his former wife, Paula Coley, a CPA, and his son and daughter, Evan and Erin, respectively.
