Obituary of John Thomas Cooley

John Thomas (Tom) Cooley (born June 22, 1952) passed away on August 5, 2023 in his Ocala home.

 Tom is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Theodore Cooley, Jr., and Shirley Jean Levis Cooley.

 He is survived by his wife Kathleen Larson Cooley, three children Thomas, John David, and Katie Cooley Chaulk (Matt), brothers Ben Sibley (Pam) and Art Cooley, sister Margie Cooley Schroeder (Doug), and two grandchildren.

 Tom was born and raised in Ocala and graduated from Ocala High School in 1970. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Mercer University in Macon, GA, in 1974. While at Mercer, Tom was initiated into the Alpha Zeta chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After college, he started a career in Gainesville, FL, and also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1978.

 During his time in Gainesville, he met Kathy Larson. Tom and Kathy married in Okeechobee, FL, on March 21, 1981. They lived in Fort Myers briefly before returning to Ocala, where Tom opened his accounting practice and Kathy taught elementary school.

 Tom was active in Kiwanis Club and served as a deacon at First Baptist Church. He was also an instrumental figure in the early years of the YMCA in Ocala.

 Tom was an avid sports fan and spent much of his free time watching any kind of Florida Gators athletics. Additionally, he was always proud to say he was in attendance at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium the night Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth's record.

 Aside from sports, Tom enjoyed watching Jeopardy! listening to the music of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and he had a deep love for America.

 A memorial service for Tom Cooley will be held Friday, August 11, 2023 at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Ocala.

 Tom valued higher education and helping others. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the educational institution or charity of your choice, or simply take an opportunity to complete a random act of kindness.