James William Coley

James William Coley passed away on July 22, 2026 at the age of 93. James was born to Franklin Ellis Coley and Lelia Braddy Coley on October 23, 1932, in Sardis, Mississippi (His Parents passed away in 1984/1985). He was the eldest of four children, three of whom preceded him in death (Franklin Ellis Coley, Jr., Betty Sue Coley Rider, Cecil Clyde Coley).

He attended elementary schools in Union School (east of Sardis, MS), Sardis, MS., Gloster, MS. Port Gibson, MS., Vicksburg, MS., and Cary, MS. He graduated from High School at Redwood, MS. May, 1951.

He was employed as a lumber inspector by Anderson and Tully Company after graduation from High School.

James proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and his State in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

James attended Hinds Junior College at Raymond, Mississippi, from 1957 to 1958. He attended Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi from 1958 until graduation in January, 1961. He received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering.

While at Hinds Junior College he was elected to Phi Theta Kappa, an honorary scholastics organization that bases its membership on academic achievement.

At Mississippi State University, James was elected to Tau Beta Pi, an engineering society that bases its membership on academic achievement in the engineering school.

James worked during the summer of 1959 for United States Mississippi River Commission.

While in college on September 5, 1959 he married Geraldine Clower. They had two children, John Allen in 1967 and Jean Ann in 1970. His wife of 63 years, Geraldine Clower Coley, passed away January 18, 2023

After graduation from Mississippi State in January, 1961, James accepted a position as an Assistant Design Engineer with Texaco, Inc. at their Port Arthur, Texas Plant. He held varying positions with the Company (Assistant Design Engineer, Design Engineer, Senior Design Engineer, Senior Inspection Engineer, and Foreman of the Field Engineers, Assistant Supervisor of Test and Inspection). He was appointed Chief Engineer of Inspection in 1973 and he served in that position until his retirement in 1993.

He qualified for and got his Professional Engineers licenses in Texas and in Mississippi. He also became a Registered Professional Land Surveyor in Texas.

During his 33 years of service with Texaco, James participated in maintenance and inspection reviews in Texaco Plants in the states of Texas, Washington, Delaware, Kansas, and California. He also provided inspection expertise to facilities that Texaco was involved with in England, Saudi Arabia, and Greece.

Texaco also appointed James as a member to the American Petroleum Institutes' Committee on Refinery Equipment, Subcommittee on Refinery Inspections in 1979. He was appointed Chairman of the Subcommittee on Refinery Inspections in 1982. He served as Chairman until 1986. He then moved to the Subcommittee on Corrosion as Vice Chairman 1986 through 1990. He then returned to the Subcommittee on Refinery Inspection and served 1990 through 1993 as Chairman until he retired from Texaco. During this time with the API, James was instrumental in helping to write and revise API Standards and API Codes for Inspection of Pressure vessels, tanks, and Piping. He served on several Task Groups that set the standards for certification of inspectors to API 510, 653, and 570. James held the Number 007 In all three of the certifications.

James served from 1979 to 1981 as a city Alderman for the City of Griffing Park, Texas (later became part of Port Arthur, Texas). During this period he was appointed Commissioner of Police.

After retirement, James continued work involving the Inspection Standards and Codes. He acted as an author and consultant for Codewest and Schindler and Associates in preparation and teaching courses to help prospective inspectors pass the certification tests for API 510, 653, and 570.

James was a competitive high power shooter. He was active in the Golden Triangle Gun Club (served as Treasurer and President) and the Bayou Rifles. He was a Life member of the Texas State Rifle Association and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed reloading ammunition, and shooting rifles and pistols.

James was also a Colonel in the CAF (Commemorative Air Force).

James is survived by his son John, his daughter Jean, and three grandchildren, Cameron Coley, Candace Coley, and Joshua Ortego.

He was a member of the Methodist Church, The Temple, from 1968 until his death.

He will be cremated and interred in the Old Crystal Springs Cemetery in Mississippi.

There will be a graveside service at 11am Saturday, August 1st at Old Crystal Springs Cemetery 2013-2015 Utica Road, Crystal Springs, MS 39059. Lunch will be provided after the service. Stringer Funeral Home in Crystal Springs is handling arrangements locally.