On Friday, March 25, 2005, State Rep. David Coley (R-Marianna) passed away after a battle with cancer. Coley was serving his first term in the House representing district 7. In December, he was diagnosed with a form of liver cancer and was recently under radiation after also developing spinal cancer.

“I am grateful that we were able to work with an individual who has such respect for the legislative process and those of us who work within it,” said FICPA CEO-Executive Director Lloyd “Buddy” Turman, CAE. “Rep. Coley was a true professional and statesman. He will be missed.”

A former newspaper employee, Coley served as a longtime legislative aide to House Speaker Allan Bense, former Congressman Bill Grant, former Rep. Robert Trammell, and former Rep. Jamey Westbrook. He was elected in November 2004 by 70.5% of the vote.

Rep. Coley is survived by his wife Marti, and their children Kristin, Vance and Hunter.
 

• Monday, March 28, 2005, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST, Rep. Coley is to lay in state in the Chambers of the Florida House of Representatives in Tallahassee, followed by a public memorial service at 2 p.m.

• Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at 10 a.m. EST the House Session will open with a memorial service for Rep. Coley in the House Chambers. Rep. Coley’s family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. CST at Evangel Worship Center, 2645 Pebble Hill Road, Marianna, FL. To read the House Resolution for Rep. Coley, please click here.

• Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at 10 a.m. CST, Funeral Services will be held at the Johnson Health Center at Chipola College in Marianna with Rep. Coley's Pastor, LaVon Pettis and House Speaker Allan Bense officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.

Flowers are being accepted, or those wishing may make memorial contributions to the David Coley Memorial Fund, c/o Evangel Worship Center, 2645 Pebble Hill Road, Marianna, FL, 32446.