BRIDGER/LAUREL - Emmett Colley passed away July 9, 2007, at The Vista at Mission Ridge. Emmett is gone from our lives, but our memories will live on forever. Emmett loved his family, his friends and his work.
Emmett was born at Chico Hot Springs near Emigrant on Nov. 8, 1920, to Joshua M. and Claudia Vera Kerr Colley.
Emmett lived in the Paradise Valley until 1939, when he moved with his parents to Great Falls, where his father worked at the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery.
Emmett attended school in the Paradise Valley at Old Chico, Emigrant and Six Mile rural schools.
On Feb. 1, 1941, Emmett began his employment with the Montana Fish and Game Department at the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery in Great Falls. His employment was interrupted with the beginning of WWII. On Aug. 4, 1942, Emmett entered the Army and was assigned to the Medical Corp., where he trained to be a dental technician. After two and one half years of service in the European Theater of Operations and after the end of the war, he was honorably discharged from the Army at Fort Lewis on Jan. 30, 1946.
Emmett returned to Montana and was assigned to his prior position as Fish Culturist at the Anaconda State Fish Hatchery. Emmett worked at the Emigrant and Lewistown State Fish Hatcheries before being assigned as Foreman at the Bluewater State Fish Hatchery near Fromberg and Bridger. Emmett worked at Bluewater for 26 years before assuming the job of Hatchery Bureau Chief in Helena. Emmett retired from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on Dec. 31, 1985, after 45 years of service.
Emmett married Eileen Jordan at the Pine Creek Methodist Church, on Sept. 14, 1946. Eileen preceded Emmett in death on Jan. 20, 2004, after 57 years of marriage.
Emmett enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening and family. Emmett was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church, life member of the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and VFW.
Emmett was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elvena, and brothers Vernon and Robert.
Emmett is survived by his children, Gary and his wife Sue of Laurel, Marlene and her husband John of Laurel and James and his wife Donna of Wilmington, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Josh and Jason Peters and John Michael, Kristen and Shawn Colley.
A graveside service will be held at the State Veteran's Cemetery at Fort Harrison in Helena, at 1 p.m. Friday, July 13. At this time, Emmett and Eileen will be united in their final resting place.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel was in charge of cremation.Published in the Billings Gazette on 7/10/2007.
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