David A. Cooley, Sr.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2009, David Allen Cooley, Sr., died peacefully in his home while surrounded by his family. He was born on November 3, 1923 in Towanda, Pa. He spent most of his life in and around the Towanda area. Upon graduating from Towanda High School in 1941, Dave, as he was known to his family and friends, joined the Army where he served with the Army Air Corps as a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber in the Pacific Theater during World War II. While he was in training for the Air Corps in Walla Walla, Washington, he married his devoted wife, Laura. After having received an honorable discharge from the service, Dave fulfilled his life-long dream of becoming a farmer when he and Laura purchased a dairy farm in LeRaysville. He operated a successful dairy farm for twenty-six years before retiring from farming; however, retiring did not mean Dave stopped working-he grew a lavish garden and shared his produce with friends and family until failing health forced him to stop. Dave's greatest joy in life was his wife and family. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Laura Walmsley Cooley, his six children: daughter and son-in-law: Gloria and Richard Broughton of Morris, Pa; son and daughter-in-law: David and Gayle Cooley of LeRaysville, Pa; son Wayne Cooley of St. Charles, Missouri; daughter and son-in-law: Terry and Barry Brown of Rome, Pa; son Craig Cooley of Binghamton, NY; and daughter and son-in-law: Sheila and Bruce Robbins of LeRaysville, Pa; twelve grandchildren and two beautiful great granddaughters. Also surviving are his two brothers and sisters-in-law: Ralph and Eileen Cooley and Vern and Joan Cooley of Towanda, Pa; brother Max Cooley of Elizabethtown, Pa; his sister-in-law: Eleanor Cooley of Sayre, Pa; and many nieces and nephews. Dave was predeceased by his parents Reed and Mildred Allen Cooley of Towanda; his sisters Elaine Daly and Donna Smith both of Towanda, Pa; a brother Reed Manley Cooley of Sayre, Pa; and his sister-in-law, Ruth Cooley of Elizabethtown, Pa. Abiding with his wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. Memories and condolences for Dave's family may be shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com Those who wish may kindly consider a memorial contribution to the HOPS Ambulance Association c/o Mr. James Seipler, RR 1, Box 280, Rome, Pa 18837 in loving memory of David Allen Cooley, Sr. Caring assistance is being provided by the Cooley Family of the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols.