George Farmer Cooley's Obituary
George Farmer Cooley, 77, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2009, 6:00 p.m. at Kirby Pines Nursing Home from complications of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lucy and Earl Cooley, his brothers Glenn and Frank Cooley, and his son Robert George Cooley.He attended Treadwell School for 12 years, served in the Korean War and graduated from Memphis State University in 1959. George founded Mercury Printing Company, was president from 1961 to 1993 and retired from Mercury Printing in 2001. He was a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, Delta Sigma Phi, AMA, Accounting Club, Sales and Marketing Club of Memphis, Printing Industries Association of the South, and publisher of The US Aircraft Dealers Magazine. He served on the board of The Stuttering Foundation. In his younger days, he was a motorcycle enthusiast, later enjoyed camping with the Boy Scouts and most recently after he retired, traveling in his motor home. He was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church, inactive deacon, and a member of the Gideon’s.He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeanette Cooley, one sister, Earlene Whitener, one grandson Joey Cooley, wife Ashley, one great-granddaughter, Madison, all of Memphis, one granddaughter, Allison Cooley of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a donor to the Genesis Gift of Life Program.A memorial service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Monday, February 23, with the visitation starting at 2:00 p.m followed by a service at 3:30 p.m., Dr. Jack May officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Ridgeway Baptist Church, Gracewood Baptist Church, Boy Scouts of America or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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