Former state Rep. Jim Coley’s family is informing friends and colleagues the Bartlett Republican has passed away.

Coley didn’t seek re-election last year after battling various illnesses that involved doctors bringing him back to life two times, the Daily Memphian reported in 2019. The former public school teacher was first elected to the House in 2006, where he formed strong friendships across the political spectrum.

Coley voted for a bill seeking to opt the state out of the U.S. Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling and supported various pro-life bills. But he voted against Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher bill and backed a 2018 bill to legalize medical marijuana.

Here is a resolution the House passed on the occasion of Coley’s retirement:

WHEREAS, it is most appropriate that the members of this General Assembly should honor those fellow legislators who have performed their duties with the utmost integrity and whose efforts during their time in office have been dedicated to providing thoughtful and exemplary service to their districts and to this great State; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jim Coley of Bartlett is one such distinguished public servant who has served both his constituency and this legislative body with honor and ability; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, Representative Coley has been a highly influential figure in the political, social, and civic life of Shelby County, and he has served his constituents in numerous capacities, always working diligently at his elected duties and expending the necessary effort to understand the opposing sides of complex issues; and

WHEREAS, Jim Coley has distinguished himself as a public-spirited citizen of the highest order and as an exceptional asset to the good people of the 97th House District, whom he has served as a member of the 105th, 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, 110th , and 111th General Assemblies; and

WHEREAS, throughout his service, Jim Coley has been prominent as a dedicated and well-informed legislator who always votes his conscience; and

WHEREAS, as an active and dynamic participant in the legislative process during his time in the General Assembly, Representative Coley has rendered sterling service as chair of the House Higher Education Subcommittee, the House Civil Justice Subcommittee, and the General Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, and member of the House Consumer and Human Resources Committee, the House Civil Justice Committee, the House Education Administration and Planning Committee, the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee, the House Criminal Justice Committee, the House Education Committee, the House Judiciary Committee, the House Ethics Committee, the House State and Local Government Committee, the House Employee Affairs Subcommittee, the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee, the House Civil Practice Subcommittee, the House State Government Subcommittee, the House Special Initiatives Subcommittee, and the Joint Fiscal Review Committee; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jim Coley has also served as a member of the Legislative Arts Caucus and the Shelby County Delegation; and

WHEREAS, no stranger to awards and accolades, Representative Coley has been a recipient of both the Lincoln Award and the Grassroots Award from the Shelby County Republican Party; a two-time Rotarian nominee for Teacher of the Year, and the recipient of a Fulbright-Hays Study Abroad Grant; and

WHEREAS, Representative Coley is a family man and community leader, and he has proven that citizens can make a difference by being involved in community service and leading by example; and

WHEREAS, a retired teacher, Jim Coley obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree at Memphis State University and earned his Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Memphis; and

WHEREAS, Representative Coley is a co-founder of Friends of the Orpheum and the Bartlett/Northeast Republican Club, a sponsor of Memphis Bridges, and a member of the Shelby County Education Association and the Exchange Club; and

WHEREAS, throughout his outstanding career as a public servant, Representative Jim Coley has worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents, bringing to his office an honorable bearing and the traditional values of hard work and common sense; and

WHEREAS, his many civic and professional accomplishments aside, Jim Coley is most appreciative of the love and support he shares with his two children, Erin and Evan, and his one grandchild, Owen; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jim Coley is wholly committed to the noble precepts of public service that have earned Tennessee recognition as the Volunteer State, and he should be specially recognized for his exemplary tenure in the General Assembly; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we hereby honor Representative Jim Coley for his meritorious service to Tennessee as a member of the House of Representatives, commend him for his countless contributions and many good works in service of the citizens of the 97th House District, and extend to him our best wishes for much continued success and happiness.