Improper sorting of text using custom sort list

I have two columns; column A is formatted as text and consists of a word followed by a space, then numbers (1-3 digits), column B is numeric. I want to sort by column A using a custom list rather than alphabetic because of the way Excel handles numbers when they are text and I want things grouped in a certain way. I set up the custom list and this looks fine. For some reason, two of the rows (colon 3 and TI 443) will not fall into the correct custom order. They will sort fine A to Z but it's as if excel is sorting those two alphabetically rather than by custom list. So colon 3 gets placed after colon 264 instead of after colon 2 like I want it.

I have made sure there are no hidden rows/columns, no leading or hidden digits in the cells, formatted as text, etc. There are no filters in place to clear. Have copied and pasted into new workbooks, into and out of notepad, etc. 

This is driving me nuts and I need to use this sort feature on multiple sheets. Please help!