Tribute to Jack Coley
All of us in the Nawwab family are very sad to hear of the passing away of our beloved friend Jack Coley (Clinton Jackson "Jack" Coley, Jr.) in Alexander City, Alabama, on Thursday, August 12, 2010. He was 76. May he rest in peace.
Jack Coley
I talked to Jack on the phone just a few weeks ago. At the time, he was stoically optimistic about his long, painful struggle with lung cancer. Despite his illness, he was as ebullient and witty as ever.
I am sure many of his other Saudi Arab friends will miss him. He was a unique individual, with a large heart, generous spirit and compassionate character. He represented the best of the traditions of the archetypical Southern American gentleman. No one could have wished for a better, more kindhearted, more decent, more humorous American friend.
Having lived with Arabs and studied their history, Jack had an understanding of their point of view and sensitivity to their religion and culture. He often gave talks to Alabamian audiences about Islam and the Arabs in order to build interfaith and intercultural bridges between Middle Eastern Muslims and Americans.
A little-known aspect of Jack Coley's life may not have received due recognition. While in Saudi Arabia, Jack was the moving spirit behind the establishment of the first Alcoholics Anonymous group, which later grew into a nationwide movement that has been of help in rehabilitating thousands of drug addicts. This was a bold, pioneering move by Jack as at the time, the problems of addiction were swept under the carpet by the local media and Saudi society. The founding of that first group required a lot of effort and time as well as persuasion of and coordination with the appropriate government agencies, but Jack never faltered in the pursuit of his humanitarian goal. I cannot think of any American who served Saudi Arabs so selflessly, determinedly and passionately for what many would have considered a thankless and difficult task not related to their official duties.
Jack Coley's legacy of the battle against drug addiction in Saudi Arabia will continue to resonate with many in the Kingdom. Those who knew him in Alcoholics Anonymous will always cherish the memory of this stranger whose love for them was unbounded and heartfelt.
If you haven't already, we also invite you to read the Obituary for Jack Coley on Aramco ExPats.