In Memory

Stewart Colley

 

Richard Colley Jr.

 

Richard Colley Jr. Obituary
 
Richard Colley Jr.

Corpus Christi, TX

Richard "Stewart" Colley Jr, son of internationally acclaimed architect Richard Colley, died Wednesday, October 18, 2017, after battling for many years a particularly insidious form of dementia known as frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). A dear friend once called Stewart an "unchanged man in a changing world." He eschewed the 21st century conveniences we take for granted, like smart phones and computers, frequently reminding others that he was "an analog man, not digital." Stewart charted his own path in life and never deviated from his conception of the Truth.

He was born in Corpus Christi on April 12, 1941. He attended RB Fisher Elementary and Hamlin Middle School. He attended one year of high school at Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he was affectionately known as "Tex", and came back to finish at WB Ray, graduating in the Class of 1960. In his own self-deprecating way, he loved to tell people that he graduated from high school on the 5-year plan and from college on the 7-year plan. In 1967, he graduated from The University of North Texas with a degree in history.

Before he set down permanent roots in Corpus, Stewart led an interesting life that surprised many of those who later knew him only as a cowboy dad. According to all accounts, he was a hellion growing up, with parents warning their children to stay away from that wild redhead. In his early 20s, the Caller- Times published a very short story about him after he passed out in a stranger's yard after a debutante party. The headline read, "Guest Picks Wrong Lawn." Although he wasn't specifically named in the story, his parents and his friends knew exactly who it was. In the 1960s, he backpacked through Europe and accumulated a number of stories that, to those who heard them, seemed more myth than reality. Later, he opened an art gallery in a former gas station called Dos Patos. Artist Bill Wilhelmi began his Corpus Christi career at Dos Patos, where Stewart also sold posters, paintings, esoteric literature, Mid Century furniture and Italian racing bikes.

While his father designed buildings and left his imprint on the world in that way, Stewart left his mark in the hearts of the people he encountered. He never knew a stranger and was never at a loss for words. Whoever he was with at the moment was his best friend. He made no distinction between race, creed, color or occupation. Everyone was equal in his eyes. Stewart was a gifted conversationalist and he enjoyed talking with anyone and everyone. He could take over a room very quickly, directing the conversation in a not-so-subtle way to the things that interested him the most: rock and roll, Baroque music, Eastern mysticism, Esoteric Christianity, and more mundane topics like the latest episodes of Walker: Texas Ranger. If you didn't walk away from a conversation scratching your head and wondering what just happened, Stewart felt he hadn't done his job. For many years, his weeks weren't complete without a visit with his buddies at Cage's Hardware, Roosevelt-Baker, Taylor Brothers Jewelers, and Prices's Chef. There are too many people to mention who held a special place in Stewart's heart over the years. Without mentioning them all here, whether you were childhood friends, met him later in life, or had a chance encounter with him out in public, know that he treasured the time he spent with you while he was here.

His greatest joy and proudest achievement in life were his 3 children. In each one, he saw a trait or talent or characteristic that he had always wanted in himself but did not possess. A self-admitted underachiever, he was in awe of his own children's accomplishments.

He is survived by his devoted wife of thirty-three years, Kathleen, and his children, Richard, of Washington, DC; Elizabeth (Sam) of Providence, RI; and Charles, of Corpus Christi. He is also survived by his three canine daughters Polly, Penny and Patsy, and his faithful employee and loyal friend Alfonso de J. Becerra. The family would like to thank the staff of Angel Bright Hospice. Their care and compassion through this very difficult time helped ease his journey and the family's as well.

A private family memorial will be observed at a later date.
 
Published in Corpus-Christi Caller-Times on Oct. 20, 2017
Read Less