Deacon Earl M. Colley Jr.

_{Deacon Earl M. Colley Jr., 86, of Cameron died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at his home.}  

_{Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at St. Monica Catholic Church with Bishop Joe Vasquez officiating.  Burial will follow at the Rice Cemetery near Cameron.  A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday, prior to the mass at the church.}

_{Deacon Earl was born May 1, 1935, in San Antonio to Earl M. and Ida Virginia (McMillian) Colley.  He married Sherry Artz on Feb. 21, 1959, in Hawaii. Deacon Earl received his Master’s Degree in Religious Studies and Theology from Incarnate Word College.  He retired from the U.S. Navy after 21 years of service. He then worked for Ingalls Ship Building as an engineer, then was a school teacher for St. Mary’s Catholic School, Holy Rosary Catholic School, St. John Bosco and Holy Cross High Schools.  Deacon Earl was ordained July 16, 1988 serving as a Deacon for 33 years.}  

_{He is survived by: his wife, Sherry Colley of Cameron; daughters, Sheryl Anne Colley of Cameron, Shannon Renee Colley O’Brien of Cameron, and Shelley Marie Colley Posey of Lake Hills; son, Earl M. “Chip” Colley, IV of Cameron; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.}

_{Memorials may be made to St. Monica’s Catholic Church or to the Diaconiate Program at the Diocese of Austin.}

_{Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home of Cameron is in charge of arrangements.}