By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
Dallas, TX – Emergency management officials from across Texas and the country are mourning the death of 62-year old Jack Colley, a legend in the disaster preparedness field.
For the past 12 years Colley lead the Texas Department of Emergency Management, preparing for and responding to hurricanes like Rita and Ike; tornadoes; possible terrorism, and the recovery that followed the 2003 Colombia space shuttle disaster.
Gary Jones, deputy administrator for FEMA District 6 based in Denton, said Colley left Texas with one of the most sophisticated disaster plans in the country.
"Jack Colley was the John Wayne of emergency management. No doubt about it," said Jones. "He was a legend and he's bigger than Texas. He was a very compassionate caring person."
Colley died Sunday in Austin following a heart attack earlier this month.
Monday, saddened colleagues headed to Brownsville for the annual conference Colley started to prepare for hurricane season.