John A. Colley

     John passed away Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the age of 92 years. He was born on February 23, 1931 on the farm North of Fleming, Ray County Missouri, to Jesse Raymond and Anna Maedean Edwards Colley. He was so tiny being born at 7 months that his first bed was a dresser drawer. He was the oldest of three children with his sister Bonnie Anna and brother Jesse Patton.
     He was preceded in death by his parents Jesse and “Granny Annie” Colley and his sister Bonnie Ramsey. John leaves behind his wife Andrea “Andi” Leigh Colley, his brother Jesse Patton Colley; his blended family of 5, daughters Cynthia Dirtzu, Judy Cummings, Janell Colley; and 2 sons David & Nathan Kidd; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
     John was very proud to be a graduate of Bob Jones University where he earned his Bachelors of English. After graduation, he spent time there and became the head of the English department. He moved his family to Lee’s Summit, Missouri and earned his Masters of Education Administration at The University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri while teaching English at Lee’s Summit High School. He later became a successful agent with New York Life Insurance qualifying for the designations of CLU®, ChFC®. He later earned his Master of Management Information Systems from Friends University.

     In retirement, he and Andi were blessed with many short-term mission trips, first to Belize, Prague, and other parts of the Czech Republic. While in Prague, John taught English and helped digitize the library at the International School of Prague. Retirement also enabled him to
pursue his love of stained glass, repairing antique clocks and building his Balancing Sculptures of brass wire, sheet brass and horseshoe nails.
     John has had many health challenges from prostate cancer, pain from spinal stenosis, Parkinson’s disease and end stage renal disease. He was first diagnosed with kidney disease over 17 years ago and was able to remain healthy and active until his kidneys failed completely and he began dialysis 1 1⁄2 years ago. Throughout his life he never complained but always praised his Lord and glorified Him with his life. In his lifetime, he made and gave away more than 100 of his Balancing Sculptures to family, friends and many missionaries. Many sculptures have a tie tag that quotes 2 Timothy 4:8: "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
He was awarded his crown on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

Celebration of Life Service, 1:30 pm, Monday, May 22, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Rd.  Share condolences and view extended obituary at www.cozine.com. Services by Cozine Memorial Group-Cozine Life Events Center.

A memorial has been established with:

Parkinson's Foundation
200 SE 1st Street
Suite 800
Miami, FL 33131