Max Earl Colley Jr.

Max was born June 21, 1948, to Max E. Colley, Sr. and Blanche Colley. Max was one of six children growing up in his family. His mom worked in a factory and his dad drove a truck. Max loved playing baseball and football with his friends. He graduated from Godwin High School in 1966.

When Max was in 4th grade, he started playing the saxophone. This was something he was able to continue to do for the rest of his life and changed his course forever.

While Max was in high school, he formed the rock band “The JuJus,” which was wildly popular in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan. They played all over and recorded albums in which the song, “You Treat Me Bad” reached #2 on the WLAV top 40 playlist. In 2009, the band was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

After Godwin, Max attended and graduated from Calvin College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. He received his Master of Arts from Grand Valley State University in 2007.

Max’s first endeavor was to start a band program at Ada Christian School, which he did in 1968. During his early teaching years, he led the band, “The Blue Max,” which played at many wedding receptions and events.

Max started teaching band at Northview High School in 1970 and continued until June 2010. Over the course of 40 years, he led the marching band, jazz band, concert band, symphonic band,

and wind ensemble. In addition, he taught music appreciation classes where he formed relationships with non-band students as well.

Max was involved in many music and education programs throughout his entire life. He taught saxophone at Grand Rapids Community College, formerly Grand Rapids Junior College. He was a former associate professor of music at Calvin College where he started the jazz program and taught saxophone. He has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony and Symphonic Band. He spent much of his free time adjudicating and being a clinician for marching competitions, solo and ensemble festivals, and guest conducting at area schools. He has won countless awards and honors along the way. In 1985, he was the first teacher in the Northview District to be recognized by the School Board for “Exemplary Service” and has been awarded the “Outstanding Teacher Award” of Northview High School on three occasions. In 1988, he was selected as the State of Michigan’s “Band Teacher of the Year” by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra. In 1989, he was selected as the conductor of the first West Michigan All-Star Band. In 1998, he received the “National Impact Teacher of the Year Award” by Cedarville University. In 2006, he received the “Outstanding Educator Award” by the Michigan Competing Band Association (MCBA). In 2010, the Northview Public Schools named the community auditorium, “The Max Colley Jr. Performing Arts Center” in his honor. In 2016, he was awarded the first Dr. Bruce Early Jazz Education Award from the West Michigan Jazz Society. [Now, after his passing, he will be inducted into the MCBA Hall of Fame.]

While cherishing the many honors bestowed upon him, he was most proud of his students’ accomplishments. Many have gone on to careers in orchestras, bands, and jazz groups throughout the country. Dozens have become music educators at all levels including several in District Ten. The Northview Bands have been on eight European tours, received an Award of Excellence at the Midwest European Festival in Austria, and have performed for four United States Presidents, to name just a few of the band’s program accolades.

Since his early days, Max was a Detroit Lions fan and continued to be their most faithful fan throughout his whole life. He watched every game possible with his close friends, Jim and Sue Rex, and we’d like to think he is still cheering from Heaven.

Max married Linda (Chipman) Colley, when he was 18 years old and had five children with her: Max III, Chandy, Michelle, Sarah, and Nathan. They lived in Northview where Max taught, and all five of his children were able to have him as their band teacher. Following his divorce in 1992, Max independently raised his children in their home on the East Beltline. All of his kids took turns playing with their dad–games like sock basketball, all-time quarterback, Pro Draft, bucket bonanza, Go Fish, I Spy and quiz game. He made them apple cinnamon pancakes in the fall and blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup in the summer. He took them on long walks in the woods, and fishing at Ambrose Pond. He also liked to take them tent camping or rent cottages so the whole family could be together. He took them on trips and showed them the world–trips to Europe, Florida, New York, Savannah, Arizona, Chicago, and Toronto. He valued the time he had with his kids and grandkids and showed up at every event that he could.

Though his musical, educational, and performance lives were incredibly successful, Max’s favorite roles were those that were close to home. He loved being a teacher, he loved being a father, and he loved being a grandfather, affectionately called “Papa.” He loved life. He also loved serving and praising God.

In 1979, Max put his full trust in the redeeming blood of his Savior, Jesus Christ. This most important decision of his life happened when he was attending Calvary Baptist Church. He then attended Northland Baptist Church for many years, and eventually made Bella Vista Church in Rockford, MI, his church home. He played in and often led praise bands there for over 25 years. He recorded and released two Christian music CDs entitled, “My Intent” and “Emmanuel.” He also, faithfully, met with a men’s prayer group every Saturday for decades, consisting of his close friends, to pray over their children, families, students and community. Max cites Ephesians 2:1-10 as important life verses, having its reference engraved on his headstone.

Max never took his beautiful life for granted. Though it was beautiful– it was not easy– he battled many health challenges daily, through pain, and limitations. Max has five children and 10 grandchildren he supported in every way possible, showing up in any way he could—literally and figuratively–you could see him in the stands at all sporting events, marching band competitions, music concerts, plays, and musicals. He showed up to support his kids and grandkids, even all the way up to the week before his death. He was dependable, reliable, and faithful. He would tell his

family at every holiday or family gathering how grateful he was to have this time together, his favorite time, watching his family be together, and also listening to his grandkids sing together.

Max is survived by his children: Max Colley III, Chandy (Colley) and Rick Britsch, Michelle (Colley) and Mike Truszkowski, Sarah (Colley) and Jack Straayer, Nathan and Doren (Belfer) Colley, Jeremy and Stevee (Tompsett) Cosby, and Debi (Tatu) Velker.

He’s also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Kelli, Jordan, Matthew, and Summer Truszkowski; Elijah, Josiah, Elizabeth, and Esther Cosby; and Bastian and Rowan Colley.

His Brothers: Karl Colley and Walter Colley

His Sisters: Carolynne Joyce (Kees Frankfort), and Dorothy VanderMolen

Brother-in-Law: Gary Chipman and wife, Jeanne

Many cousins, nephews, and nieces, and one very special nephew who has meant so much to him–Randy Price.

Max is preceded in death by his parents, Max E. Colley, Sr., and Blanche (Cooke) Colley; his sister Kaye (Colley) Price; his father and mother-in-law, LeRoy and Marguerite (Watters) Chipman; his former wife, Linda (Chipman) Colley; his daughter-in-law, Talia (Johnson) Colley; and many aunts and uncles.

A Celebration of Life Service for the public will occur on October 19, 2025, at 2 pm at Northview High School at the Max Colley Jr. Performing Arts Center.

In lieu of flowers, Max has chosen that donations be made to Northview Band Boosters with Memo: Max Colley Jr. Legacy Scholarship Fund, ℅ Northview High School,

4451 Hunsberger NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or SowHope, PO Box 234, Rockford, MI 49341