Earl D. Cooley passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving family, at home in Anacortes, Washington on Wednesday, August 10th at 10:43 am at the young age of 87 years old. Earl was born December 3, 1923 in Glenmora, Louisiana the oldest of nine children to Iutress and Beatrice Cooley. After high school graduation from Singer, LA, he joined the 2nd World War in the Navy Air Corps, where he served three years as a parachute rigger.

Earl returned from Hawaii, where he was stationed, in August 1945 and ten days later married his sweetheart Nancy Ann Stineff. They arrived in Anacortes on November 5, 1945. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Anacortes since 1945, and belonged to the Lions Club and was on a local bowling team.

Earl loved anything to do with family, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He would spend full days "playing" with backhoes, dump trucks and other "toys". Earl enjoyed camping and traveling the country with his wife Nancy in their motor home. He never met a stranger, his standard saying was, "We'll treat you in so many ways, and you are bound to like one of them." Earl made many friends and stopped to visit everywhere he went.

He was extremely generous, always volunteering to help. As a hard working man, Earl owned several businesses; in heating, appliance repair and trucking before his last career as a member of the pipe fitters union when he retired at age 63. Earl was the strongest man we knew and was determined to fight heart disease his way, and did so for the past 21 years. We are so proud of him and love him deeply for all he has done throughout his full life.

Earl is survived by his wife, Nancy A. Cooley at the family home; sons, Dorman Cooley of Anacortes, WA, Jerry & Jolee Cooley of Missoula, MT, and Paul Cooley of Missoula, MT; daughter, Tamara & John Chadwick of Buckley, WA; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held today, at 2:00 pm, August 13, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Anacortes. Donations may be made in Earl's name to Youth Dynamics, 2410 J Avenue, Anacortes, Washington 98221.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Earl, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.