SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 23
(By Senators Chafin, Fanning, Oliverio and Caruth)
Commemorating the life of Thomas A. Colley, gentleman, civic leader
and journalist.
Whereas, Thomas A. Colley of Bluefield, the executive editor
of the
Bluefield Daily Telegraph and respected community volunteer,
died on January 10, 2009; and
Whereas, A native of Garden, Virginia, Thomas Colley was born
on May 18, 1941, to Leona Fletcher Colley and Thomas J. Colley; and
Whereas, Thomas Colley attended Garden High School and then
proudly served in the United States Air Force for several years
before attending San Antonio Junior College and the University of
Maryland; and
Whereas, Thomas Colley began his newspaper career with the
Auburn Evening Star in Auburn, Indiana, before returning home to
work at the
Sunset News-Observer in Bluefield and the
Tazewell Free
Press in Richlands; and
Whereas, Thomas Colley then accepted a job as a copy editor
with the
Bluefield Daily Telegraph in 1974 and became managing
editor before he went to the
Charleston News & Courier in South
Carolina; and
Whereas, Known for his journalistic integrity, Thomas Colley
returned to the
Bluefield Daily Telegraph in 1985 as the executive editor, a position he held until his death; and
Whereas, An exemplary leader, Thomas Colley loved his
community and region and worked diligently to bring improvements to
West Virginia; and
Whereas, Believing that children were the future of the
region, Thomas Colley was a member of the original Southern
Coalfields Delegation of America's Promise that laid the groundwork
for the region receiving the Top 100 Communities for Youth
Designation; and
Whereas, Thomas Colley generously gave of his time and talents
as chairman of the Community Christmas Tree, which provided
Christmas gifts to children in need, and of the Literacy Committee
of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, which instituted a
program known as the Reading Bee to encourage children and youth to
read; and
Whereas, Thomas Colley also served as the organizer of the
Chicory Square Concert Series, as a member of the Bluefield Rotary
Club and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Center
for International Understanding; and
Whereas, An award-winning journalist, Thomas Colley won many
awards of excellence from the West Virginia Press Association, the
Adam R. Kelly Premier Journalist Award from the Press Association,
the Distinguished Citizen Award from Bluefield's Riley-Vest Post
No. 9 of the American Legion and the Distinguished West Virginian Award from Governor Joe Manchin; and
Whereas, While Thomas Colley will be missed by his loving wife
of 39 years, Frances; their two sons Kevin and Eric and their
families; and his numerous friends and admirers, he leaves behind
not only a legacy of service but a brighter future for Bluefield
and West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby commemorates the life of Thomas A.
Colley, gentleman, civic leader and journalist; and, be it
Resolved Further, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the family of Thomas A. Colley.
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