YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Jack Randall Coley, 83 of Youngstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Jack was born on February 10, 1940, in Pinsonfork, Kentucky, the youngest son of nine children to Elijah L. and Susie Jane Coley.
His upbringing was one of modest means. He grew up playing in the hills of Eastern Kentucky with his siblings and many cousins. His family later moved to Youngstown, Ohio in search of work, where Jack attended The Rayen High School.
He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for 8 years. He was stationed in Florida, Texas, and Greenland and was honorably discharged.
He married Jean Verzella on November 16, 1968 and took a job with Commercial Shearing & Stamping in Youngstown, where he worked as a press operator and crane man for 36 years until retiring. He enjoyed attending the annual union Christmas party.
Jack enjoyed many hobbies, one being flying. He was a licensed pilot for single engine planes and loved to take his family on flights. He also enjoyed the outdoors – hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, and gardening. Jack’s favorite pastime was car racing, and you could find him every weekend at Lernerville, Sharon and Eriez dirt tracks. He also loved NASCAR and attended several races at Daytona and Michigan Speedways. He was a member of the Twin State Auto Racing Club, serving as Treasurer for many years.
Jack’s love for life and his family was infectious. He loved his grandchildren and spending time with them. He loved to cook and made many family favorites. He loved to travel and visited family often, frequently making stops at his favorite places – Krispy Kreme and Sonny’s BBQ. He loved to work with his hands. Jack was a Mr. Fix-it and could fix nearly anything. He also built many things, including wind chimes for each of his siblings.
Jack is survived by his loving family, including his wife of 55 years, Jean, along with their daughter, Dorothy (Jason) Reynolds of Enon Valley, Pennsylvania; his three grandchildren, Taylor (Owen) Weigel of North Sewickley, Jack and Nicholas Reynolds of Enon Valley; his sister, Peggy (John) Chaney of Hubbard; sister-in-law, Judith Verzella of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Shirley Coley of Hubbard; sister-in-law, Elaine Coley of Foxworth, Mississippi; brother-in-law, David (Anne) Verzella of Guilford, Connecticut; sister-in-law, Maureen Verzella of Altoona, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, Michael (Carol) Verzella of Ashtabula, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Jack was preceded in death by three children, Baby, Mary Ann and Michael Coley; his siblings, Violet (Thomas) Lowe, Fern (Hoyt) Hickey, Murley (Gerry) Coley, Elijah “Whick” Coley, Harold Coley, Darrell (Tillie) Coley and Carol (Jim) Smith; his brother-in-law, Tom Verzella; his niece, Beverly Jean Lowe; niece Tillie Coley; nephew, Steve Coley and niece, Rose Alyece Lowe.
Jack’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the Veteran’s Administration, Comfort Keepers and Crossroads Hospice who all cared for him.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life service on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Hubbard, 59 Orchard Avenue, Hubbard, OH 44425.
Arrangements by Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S. Silvat, Inc. Share memories or send condolences by visiting cremateohio.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jack Randall Coley, please visit our floral store.
A television tribute will air Tuesday, November 14, at the following approximate times: 5:17 a.m. on WKBN, 8:39 a.m. on FOX, 5:21 p.m. on WYTV and 6:35 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing
