Sad news. Harry Coley, the affable and fun-loving owner of Wild About Harry’s, passed this morning. According to his daughter, Sydney Coley, Harry was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. “He did a pretty good job of keeping it from people,” Sydney says. “He had a chemo treatment in the spring and, although his cancer was stable, he just started to lose ground.” He was 75.
If you’ve ever been to Wild About Harry’s, chances are you’ve engaged in a conversation with him. He was always kind and funny and he always remembered your name if not your favorite flavor of his famous custard.
Coley was born in Hollis, Oklahoma. One of the great joys of his young life was eating his mother’s frozen custard. He honored her by mass producing her recipe and expanding to over 50 flavors and serving it alongside a clever 10-hotdog menu. For years, you couldn’t get into the small shop on Knox especially during after-school hours.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be released soon.
Update: A wake and visitation will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2014 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Chapel of the Cross, 4333 Cole Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205. A Funeral Service will be Monday August 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., also at the Chapel of the Cross. See more.
