Utah Doyle Cooley
Utah Doyle Cooley, age 79, of Big Arm, MT passed away on Monday, December 27, 2010 from natural causes. He was born July 27, 1931 in Lubbock, TX to Cecil D. and Phama Lee Geer Cooley. He grew up and attended school in Texas and was a finish carpenter before serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, as a combat medic. He met and married Wilma Tisdel in August 1959.
He started working as a lineman his whole career for a national firm PPL, working in Southern Oregon. He was a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union. Upon retirement they moved to Springtown, Texas, and eventually moved to Big Arm, Montana to be closer to his children.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Wilma in 2009. Utah is surivived by his 4 children Linda Huston of West Richland, WA, Utanna Cooley of Calif, Zane (Carey) Cooley of Dayton, Mt. and Jannie Brister of Rathdrum, ID. Brothers- Tommy Cooley, of Texas and sisters- Vanita Purdy and Nan King of Texas. Along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Graveside services with Military honors will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 2:00 pm in Lakeview Cemetery with Rev. Larry Crosby officiating. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Mission Valley Animal Shelter.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Cooley’s family.
Linda, Zane, and Jannie my heart goes ou to you all. You lost a father and it hurts even though expected. I lost a mentor and great friend and he will be missed. Sorry I can’t make it up on a short notice. We’ll be meeting up again someday Ute.
My sympathy to Utah’s family. I’ve known Utah for well over 30 years while working at PP&L. We’ve had a lot of great times at the IBEW picnics where we could set and drink a social beer together. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen Utah but his memory will always be with me. Rest in peace brother.
sorry for your lost i worked with utah in the late 70′s & early 80′s he was a great person jim daniels
Zane,
We were sorry to hear of your dad’s death. It is hard to lose someone who has been such an important person in your life. Please pass on our thoughts to your family at this time of sorrow.
All of us have all of you in our hearts and in our prayers! Utah will be greatly missed but he is in a so much better place now. We love you all so much!
Aunt Nan
Kevin and Megan and Hanna
Kahla and Michael and Mary
Lisa and David , Jason and Madison
Lanna, Josh, Hayden and Jacob
We will keep your family in our prayers and thoughts. Though we did not know him well, Uncle Utah was a presence in our lives growing up and we loved hearing stories of him with my Dad that my mom would tell us. We are so sorry for your loss, may God bless and comfort each of you. Sending you our love from Texas. Camille & family
With all our love
My sincere condolences to each of you at the loss of your father, grandfather and great-grandfather less than a year after the loss of your wonderful mother. I suspect Utah just could not see any point to going on without his Wilma. You are in my prayers. Love from Klamath Falls
I had known Utah since late 1983, or early 1984, and he always treated me well. I enjoyed our conversations, and although I had not seen him in years, I will miss seeing him. He and Wilma seemed good for each other.
God bless the whole family. I love you all.
Dad we will miss you so much but know you are at peace and with mom and your lord……..I love you dad
Sorry for your loss.
Jim McLean
It was with great saddness i rewad of Utah’s passing. I lived right across the street from the Cooleys for fifteen years before they moved away. It was a pleasure to watch their children grow up and we had the privige of watching Janie being married in their backyard. They truly were “happy days” for all iof us. Utah was the good neighbor, easy to talk talk to and eager to lend a helping hand. Go with God my friend. Jerry Brown
So sorry to hear of the passing of my good friend Utah. I am so glad we had a good long talk a few weeks ago. Rest in peace Ute. Hen
We will shure mis you big guy.
Zane and Family
So glad we were able to visit with your Dad in 2009. Your Dad was truly a special person and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and hearts are with you — Love from the Gomez family.
Linda, Utanna, Zane, and Jannie So sorry to hear about your Dad. I could sit and listen for hours and hours to him and uncle tommy talk about how them and my dad would go down to the Hiddy ho and whip the fly boys from Reese AFB. or any other of the stories they had banked in their memories. He is truely missed. I Love You Guys!!!! Your cuz
i was so sorry to hear the news. he was one of not very many favoite uncles