Don Cooley

Richard LaDon "Don" Cooley, 66, of Nashville, AR, entered his heavenly home on Monday, July 27, 2015. Cooley was born October 20, 1948 in Nashville, AR. He was preceded in death by his parents, Steuart and Opal Cooley. Cooley is survived by his wife of 45 years Lynne Wilson Cooley; one son, Todd and his wife Lisa of Cleveland, MS; two daughters, Kristi and her husband Chris Potter of Natchitoches, LA; and Paige and her husband Bryan Fisher of Russellville, AR; five grandchildren Madison Simms, Raley and Dalton Potter; Jett and Griffin Fisher; one sister Kathy Cooley Schmidt and one nephew Brandon Schmidt. Cooley also leaves behind a host of friends and colleagues. Cooley played football at Nashville High School where he was named MVP his senior year. He went on to play at the collegiate level at Henderson State University, where he met his wife Lynne. Following college, Cooley served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. He began his teaching and coaching career in 1971. He spent 28 years working in the family business with his father before reentering the teaching and coaching profession in 2006. During his career, Cooley coached at Norphlet High School, Mineral Springs High School and Nashville Junior High School. Cooley's positive attitude and zest for life was evident to all who knew him. He was a players' coach who touched the lives of many students. It was not uncommon for students to knock on his door to ask him to come out and play. Cooley was a civic-minded citizen who was active in Kiwanis, served on the school board, and coached Dixie Youth baseball. Cooley was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Nashville, where he and Lynne were members of the Wesley Sunday School class. In his spare time, Cooley enjoyed playing golf with friends, watching football and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 30 at First United Methodist Church in Nashville. Burial will be at Restland Memorial Park in Nashville under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home, Nashville. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville. Memorials may be made in his honor to Delta State Football, DSU Foundation; PO Box 3141; Cleveland, MS 38733. You may send an online sympathy message to latimerfuneralhome.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Don Cooley please visit our Sympathy Store.