Ralph James Cooley, Jr.

Ralph enjoyed his life with his family and dogs. Each day was a new adventure. He enjoyed traveling to various places. Ralph enjoyed football, he played basketball as a young man, a few of his hobbies were collecting coins, guns, stamps, playing golf and fishing. He enjoyed working with tools and home improvement projects.

Ralph received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Nebraska and his Master of Education from the University of Texas. He was fluent in Spanish, Italian, and the Arabic languages.

Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1944 to 1970. He earned the ranks from Private to Lt. Colonel as well as the Texas State Guard as a Commandant at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. He served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. Ralph received numerous medals, the Medal of Honor, two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. He received many awards, training and assignments throughout his 25 year military career. Ralph spent many military tours overseas, including Panama, Spain, Iran, Korea, and Japan. He especially enjoyed his tour in Spain with his family. Upon his retirement, he and his wife, Dorothy opened an evaluation and consultation company (DOTCO). He worked as a counselor and psychologist at Texas Rehabilitation Commission and as an Adjunct Professor in Psychology and Sociologist at Austin Community College.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and Manchaca United Methodist Church. Ralph taught Sunday school classes, presented grief workshops and served as a Stephen Minister.

Ralph belonged to several organizations including: NRA, NRCA, APGA, ARCA, AMEG, NECA, and APA; he was also licensed as PLP and CRC.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife and mother of their children, Dorothy; and by his parents.

He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Cooley, and Maureen Cooley; his brother, Roy Cooley and wife, Darlene, Courtney Smith and her husband, Rodolfo; additional relatives and his faithful companions (his dogs), Lightning, CoCo and Peluso.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, Friday, January 17, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted by the Reverend Jennifer Stuart at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, January 18, 2014 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with full military honors under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the Texas National Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ralph to the American Heart Association, Diabetic Association, First United Methodist Church or to a charity of the giver’s choice.