James L. Coley

James (Jim) L. Coley, Jr, 80, of Newnan, GA, formerly of Wilmington, NC, passed away on August 29, 2019 in Newnan, GA with his family beside him. Jim loved growing up in Wilmington for its beach life and its deeply rooted history, two of his great passions. While attending college in Wilmington, Jim met his lifelong love and partner in life, Linda Davis Coley, at Wilmington College. They married on December 29,1960 and headed to Charleston, SC to begin a family and his 40 year career with the United States Government. Jim’s initial years with the government were working civil service for the Navy at the shipyards in Charleston, SC and Pascagoula, MS. His outstanding work in nuclear inspection led him in December 1979 to Atlanta, GA to work until his retirement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as a nuclear inspector of power plants. No man loved his family as deeply and strongly as Jim. His belief in God became the foundation upon which his home was built. He taught his children that there wasn’t anything in life that they couldn’t do if they put their minds and hearts into it. His sense of humor, his generous nature and his unfailing love to his family will be the legacy that will live on in all those he invested in and touched along the way. Jim is survived by Linda Davis Coley (wife), Lisa Jane Coley (daughter), Edward Bryan Coley (son), Susan Coley (daughter-in-law), Houston Coley (grandson), Haviland Coley (granddaughter), John Lewis (nephew) and Alan Lewis (nephew). Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, Ruth Maultsby Coley and James Lawrence Coley, and his sister Sara Coley Lewis. The memorial service celebrating Jim's life is Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Southside Church, 1821 Highway 34, Newnan GA, 30265. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Art Within - 188 Anderson Street, SE, Suite 125 Marietta, GA 30060. Donations can also be sent to Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (curemeso.org). Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580.

James L. Coley

June 6, 1939 - August 29, 2019