John Alden Cooley, 91, passed away Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017. He was born December 18, 1925, in Slidell, Louisiana. He was a 1942 graduate of Slidell High School. He began college at Tulane University and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he completed his B.A. and Master's degree in history at Louisiana State University. He taught at Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL, then at Lincoln Memorial University where he met his future bride, Janice Carter, and finally at Texas Wesleyan University where he taught for over 35 years. He was an avid reader and had an encyclopedic knowledge of U.S. and European political and military history. He enjoyed traveling, sailing, and water sports. He was a member of Clintwood United Methodist Church.

He is survived by one son, Alden Cooley of Clintwood, VA, two daughters, Sabrina Cooley Davis (husband Otis Davis) of Carlisle, KY, and Eve Cooley Perkins (husband Randy Perkins) of Abingdon, VA; six grandchildren: Jade Davis, Drew Davis, Troy Davis, and Luke Davis of Carlisle, KY, and Rose Perkins and Henry Perkins, of Abingdon, VA, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janice Carter Cooley, his parents, Le Verrier Cooley, Jr., and Dona Everitt Cooley, two brothers, Le Verrier Cooley, III, and David Cooley, and sister, Dorothy Gallup.

The family will receive friends at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Clintwood United Methodist Church, with funeral to follow at 12:00 noon. Pastor Rance Edwards will officiate. Interment will be at 3:30 in the Carter-Fraley Cemetery in Duffield, Virginia. Military graveside services will be conducted by VFW Post 8979.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clintwood United Methodist Church.