Joseph Junior "Joe" Cooley

Services for Mr. Joe Cooley, 94 of Kilgore will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2020 at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Father John Henao officiating. Mr. Cooley passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2020 in Carthage. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 3, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.; one hour prior to service.

Mr. Cooley was born on February 21, 1926 in Vandalia, Illinois to the late Frank Cooley and Louise Bales. He was a longtime member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Kilgore. Joe worked as a heavy equipment operator prior to operating his own home contracting business along with his family in the late 70’s and 80’s. Mr. Cooley served in the US Navy during WWII. He was a caring and loving father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather who will be missed by all that knew him.

Mr. Cooley was preceded in death by his wife, Rosetta Cooley; grandchildren, Craig Cooley, Jr. and April Bell.

Left to cherish his memory are daughter, Patty Bell of Longview, sons, Dennis Cooley and wife Donna of Kilgore, Craig Cooley and wife Christy of Henderson, Chuck Cooley of Kilgore and Richard Cooley and wife Trish of Carthage; sister, Betty Butwin of Terre Haute, Indiana; 9 grandchildren, Tonya Cox, Stephen Grimes, Dawn Poe, Heather Applegate, Chad Cooley, Jason Cooley, Michael Bell, Brandy Hulsey and Brittany Osborn; 18 great grandchildren, Macy and Ryan Bustin, Haley Poe, Megan Poe, Drew Cox, Micah Cox, Jake Cox, Jesse James, Garrett James, Miles Applegate, Jackson Cooley, Sadie Cooley, Sara Hulsey, Kaylee Ackerman, Lanie Cleveland, Austin Mugan, Logan Bell and Hudsyn Bell as well as many nieces, nephews and other loving family members.