Amos R. Cooley Jr.

AMOS R. "A.R." COOLEY, Jr., age 89, formerly of Dawson, PA passed away on March 23, 2006 at the Groton Nursing Facility, Groton, NY. Mr. Cooley was born Feb. 24, 1917 at Connellsville, PA a son of the late Amos R. Cooley, Sr. and Nellie Geer Cooley. A.R. was graduated from Dunbar Township High School and Duquesne University prior to enlisting in the US Army. He served in England and France until the end of WW II. He was married to the former Betty Gallagher on Nov. 7, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA. After the war A.R. was employed at the Clairton Works of US Steel as a purchasing agent. He was a life member of the Scottdale VFW. He was a resident of Glassport, PA for 30 years prior to relocating to Dawson and later at Dickerson Run, PA. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley were devoted members of the Methodist Church in Glassport and Dawson. Mrs. Cooley passed away March 27, 1999. A.R. was a cheerful, optimistic and gregarious person. He was full of life, deeply loved his family and his church, enjoyed music and was proud of his military career.

Survivors include his son, Mark (Mary) Cooley of Dryden; his daughters, Marsha (Dean) Pickens of Newfield, NY and Janet Busch of McKeesport, PA; three grandchildren, Ian Purnell, Eliza Pickens and Ryan Cooley; a great-grandchild, Layla Pickens; many nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Mae Cooley. He was predeceased by his siblings, Eugene Cooley and Hester Lutz.

Memorial services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, April 1, 2006 in the Philip G. Cochran Methodist Church, Dawson, PA. There are no calling hours. A reception at church will follow the service. Burial with military honors will be in Dickerson Run Cemetery, Dickerson Run, PA. Those wishing to remember Amos are asked to consider a memorial, in lieu of flowers, to the Cochran Methodist Church Griscom and Howell Streets, Dawson, PA 15428. Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main St., Dryden, NY is assisting the family.