"Dearest Coley family I am so sorry for the loss of the dear loved one. Scott was always a pleasure to be around and showed the upmost respect for me at all times. I am sorry this is so belated but I just heard the news as I was speaking with Jimma Jo. My heart goes out to Judy as well as the other family members. May God continue to bless and comfort you. Patti"
In loving memory of
D. Scott Coley
December 18, 1963 - April 17, 2010
D. Scott Coley, 46, of Davie, FL passed away on April 17, 2010. Over the past year, Scott fearlessly faced brain cancer and after a courageous fight, he finished his race. Scott was born in Louisville, KY on December 18, 1963. He was committed to serving the citizens of his community and nation, and he did so proudly for 23 years. His law enforcement career began in 1987, when he accepted a commission as a State Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol. For the next 15 years, he served admirably as a road officer, K9 officer, and as a deputized member of a high profile and highly successful DEA task force. While serving in these capacities, Scott received many official awards and letters of commendation, all the direct result of his continuously going above and beyond the call of duty to help those in need. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Scott felt the need to serve an even greater good and on March 31, 2002, he began his career with the Federal Air Marshal Service. For three years, Scott tirelessly worked the line alongside his fellow Federal Air Marshals. His strong work ethic, advanced technical skills, and leadership abilities were soon noticed and he was assigned increasingly complex job duties, each of which he quickly mastered. In March 2008, Scott was promoted to Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge and supervised a squad of Federal Air Marshals. Scott also excelled in that position and his final posting was that of Administration Supervisor.
Perhaps Scott’s proudest accomplishment in life was being the proud father of Kelci Coley, his adored daughter. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Coley; his daughter, Kelci Coley; his mother, Judy Coley of Tampa, FL; his father, Mel Hendricks (Edna) of Nashville, TN; his step-sister, Terry Allen (James) of Lexington, KY; his sister, Kim Underwood (Steve) of Nashville, TN; his step-brother, Ralph Whittaker (Mary Ann) of Nashville, TN; his brother, the late David Coley (Marti) of Marianna, FL; his brother, Rick Coley (Kristi) of Andersonville, TN; his sister, Melanie Fortunato (Al) of Riverview, FL; his brother, Chad Coley of Naples, FL; his sister Kaci Stewart (Tony) of Tampa, FL; three nephews and nine nieces. He was preceded in death by his dad, Len Coley; his brother, State Representative David Coley; his grandmother, Clara Disney; his niece, Shelby Sutton. Visitation with the family will be 5:00-8:00pm Wednesday, April 21st at Fred Hunters Funeral Home, 6301 Taft St. Hollywood. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Thursday, April 22nd at Cooper City Church of God, 9191 Stirling Road, Cooper City, FL. Those attending are asked to arrive by 10:15 am. Following the services, the family invites all to attend a reception with refreshments at Markham Park. An escorted motorcade will depart the church immediately after the services.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to: Radio Lollipop, c/o Miami Children’s Hospital, 3100 SW 62nd St., Miami, FL 33315. www.radiolollipop.org.
Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be sent to: Mrs. Debbie Coley, c/o Federal Air Marshal Service, Miami Field Office 13800 NW 14 St. Suite 110, Sunrise, FL 33323.
Tributes
"I found out today you have left. I am so happy we got to speak a couple months ago after not seeing each other for 20 years. We had fun as Troopers. You're a good man Scott Coley and will be truly missed by everyone that you came in contact with. God bless you, your wife, your daughter and your family."
"I am very sadden to hear about Scott. He was a wonderful guy; full of great jokes and laughs. I remember him so fondly in high school. God Bless you, your family and many friends. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers."
"My dearest big brother! I have always looked up to you. You are an amazing person and I hope that I can achieve half the respect and love from co-workers and friends that you have done. I love you always! Debbie and Kelci you two are constant reminders of unconditional love! I love you both"
"Debbie-You have been such an encouragement to me while my son Britton has been battling this same disease and such a help by sharing your journey so I would know more about the one I am on. Thank you for that and for being so much to so many. Scott's struggle breaks my heart as it is close to home, and I will be in prayer for you and your daughter. God Bless and Hugs....Gina Ballard"
"As I sit here reading through your messages, Scott, I can't help but feel such joy, peace, and feeling more pride for any one person in my life. You have always been my own personal superman. From the beginning of my own sports career..I modeled my behavior on and off the playing fields to everything I remember about your skills, knowledge, and leadership. You taught me how to lose with dignity and that losing was not really a loss but just the time before you get the next win. You didn't lose at much in life. You were a winner in everything that you did. Because of that... you were and always will be my hero. I love you more than words can say and I'm so very lucky to have had you as my big brother and friend. I will remember everything from our battles on the tennis court, your undying belief that you could whoop me on the basketball court, to our battles on video games. More than that... I will remember that you were always there for me to show me how a young man was to navigate this life and how much of an affect one person could have on an entire community. My brodda.. you are the man! You were always the man! Thank you for being the best big brother any man could have, the best friend any man could have, and for leading the way by example.. not just leading with words. I will cherish our memories and miss you so very much! Peace out brodda!!"
"I am so sorry for your loss. Debbie you and Kelci have been on my mind and in my prayers all week. Please let me know if I can do anything for either one of you. In the short time I knew Scott I was able to see the incredible man that he was. I know he will be missed by all who knew and loved him."
"I met Scott Coley, when he was 20 years old here in Tallahassee, Fl, working at Esstron Health Spa back then. He was a great person. I'm sorry to hear that he had been sick, & when I have learned that he passed away, I was very shocked. I haven't seen or heard from Scott, since he left Tallahassee Area. I had no idea, where he was at."
"Dearest Uncle Scott, I have no words that would do justice to the pain of losing you. You were the greatest man alive in my eyes. I remember for years, when I was little, i would talk about you to all my friends. How I thought you were the coolest man because you were the secret agent in my family and the coolest cop. I may not have got to see you as much or as often as I would have liked, but the memories I do have with you are amazing. I am so very grateful that you were there. That you were apart of me. I remember when I was little, sitting with you at cheer practices for KK, watching with you and cheering her on with you. You always made sure I was involved with you on my visits to Miami even when you didn't have to. I'm glad i got to see you and give you that one last hug. I love you Uncle Scott. Forever and always. Remember that"
"Scott was truly blessed with a beautiful and loving family! I pray for God's peace and comfort in your days ahead. I have no doubt that he is shining brightly in heaven just as he did here on this earth. God Bless you."
"Judy In reading all the tributes to Scott I'm sorry I never knew him. The tributes are beautiful. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know "that underneath are the everlasting arms". I pray you feel the Lord holding you tight. I know the ones who loved him in Sneads are very grieved."
"Thank you for loving our daughter and giving us KK. You will live on through her and our memories."
"So sorry to hear about Scott. He was so young...Our prayers are with the family."
"Judy, Love you so much. I know that God is in control of life and death and that brings us all great comfort. Know we have such precious memories of you and your family. Thank you for giving to the Lord.....Now I know the Lord of comfort, the Lord of Love, the Lord of Encouragement will be with you now in your time of need. He is taking you to a place you have never been ....one day we will understand all this. Until we meet again---LOVE YOU & YOUR FAMILY-----Othel & Susan Tucker"
"I am so very sorry for your loss....I'm Marti's uncle and live and pastor in Louisville,Ky. May God's grace comfort and his mercy sustain you during this time of deep grief."
"You will be missed by so many people. I promise to watch over both Debbie and KK. I will be there through this hard time for them always and forever. I miss you!"
"I close my eyes and can still remember the first time I ever saw you....what an impact you made on my life. Through your caring ways, you taught me how to love and much of who I am today is because of you. It's ironic the way cancer has been a parallel in our lives. I still fight, but you're with Jesus, so you've won. My heart breaks for your family...especially your wife and daughter, as I know you adored them. But, my heart also celebrates your life and the man you had become. There is no doubt...God just added another earthly angel to His midst and what a legacy he leaves..."
"Scott - I am so thankful for facebook. It allowed us to reconnect after all the years since graduating from High School. You still are as goodlooking as ever with that same "I am up to something grin". We truly lived life then and by reading this obituariy you never stopped. I am so proud of the person you chose to be and the lives you have touched. I will see you one day. God bless your loving family as they grieve the loss of such a wonderful person. Georgia"
"John 11:23 'Jesus said to her, "Your brother, (your son, your father, your husband), will rise again." I'm so glad that Jesus's word is Yea and Amen. My heart breaks for you but rejoices for Scott...he is where we all long to be...with our loving Saviour. Be blessed, be comforted and know that you are loved. From my heart to yours, Carine Benedict"
"Our love and prayers are with you. May the Lord comfort your hearts."
"Scott, I am heartbroken over this but very proud of you and the legacy you created. Its been so many years, I wish I could have shaken your hand again. I love you buddy. Your friend Brad"
"Mrs. Judy, Ricky, Kim, Chad, and Casey, Words can't tell you how so sorry I am. So many wonderful memories. I am thankful God blessed me with the divine opportunity to be blessed by you and your entire family. Praise God--this is not the end!!! I love you!"
"Scott, May you rest in peace. Remembering you as one of the first people I met when I walked in the door at DEA in March 2000. Thank you for the memories then and now. You will be sadly missed."
"Scott, you will be missed deeply. I'm glad that I reconnected with you. To the family, stay strong; Scott is in a better place! Love to all."
"Scott was a wonderful young man. It was our privilige to attend church with him and his family and watched him grow up in his teen years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We love you Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and streched out arm, and there is nothing to hard for thee. Jeremiah 32:17"
"Sorry to hear of Scott's passing. I went to school with him at Sneads High and he was a very nice, friendly guy. My condolences to his family."
"I remember Scott in the youth group at First Bap & Victory Bap. Always smiling & upbeat - acting crazy! God bless Scott's wife and daughter."
"We Love you and will miss you !!!!!"
"I Lost my quarterback position to Scott in high school. He had to be special to pull that off. Although i hadn't spoken to him in many years, i had kept up with his exploits through mutual friends. I am truly sorry to hear of his passing. His family had such a profound impact on our community (Sneads, FL). I'll never forget his orange VW van. The coolest high school vehicle ever. Peace."
"God Bless you Coley. Thank you for your strong support, for being a friend and for sharing your laughter with me. Valdes"
"Love you daddy"
"Thank you for our beautiful daughter. I miss u!!!!!"
"It was a pleasure working with Scott on the Turnpike when he was a K-9 trooper and he will be certainly missed. God bless you Scott."
"We LOVE you Scott and will miss you, but you will always be in our hearts. Our prayers go to you..and especially to Deb, KK and your family!!"
"Scott, it seems like we were just getting back in touch. Reminiscing with you over old times were great! Kelci, Debbie and all of your family will have perhaps the sweetest angel looking over them and being with them at all times!! You will be missed...from your Sneads folks!! We all love you!"
"You were a wonderful man and an amazing human being, thank you for giving me the opportunity to have met you and being a friend, may God take you in his arms and give you all the peace that you deserve, we will miss you so much and you will always be in our hearts."
"You will be missed dearly Scott. May you rest in peace."
"Scott, You were one of the greatest people i know. I remember all the fun times I had with Kelci and You. Flooding your bathroom, getting tucked tight in your water bed and blasting "The Went Down to Georgia". Your memory will never fade from anyones hearts. Never goodbye always see you soon"
"Our sincere Condolences to Deb, KK and Scotts family, May he rest in Peace and watch over the ones that meant the world to him."
"I love you little brother. I'm so proud to have been a part of your life. I know you are healed and no longer suffering from those terrible headaches. My heart will miss you only for a short time because I know it will rejoice when I see you in heaven. I love you always. Your big sister"
"Thank you for being a friend. I wish we could have had more time to catch up on our adult lives more. I will never forget you and will always have a smile on my face when I think of our high school days.I always enjoyed the "debates" you and Brad usually started in Mrs. Dickson's class. What a way to get out of class work!! We all loved it. Until... God bless you and take care, love ya Linda"
"Our Brother Scott is at Peace. He lived his life as a wonderful and lucky man to have such friends and family by his side throughout. This came in return for what he gave countless others as a man that many could only hope to one day be. One day, God Himself will take your face in His hands and gently wipe away your tears as He reassures you there will be no more suffering.....You can look forward with hope, because one day there will be....no more separation, no more scars, no suffering, no more tears at all. Til we meet again my friend :-) E.B."