Richard Chadwick "Chad" Cooley, 80, of Athens, died Monday morning, Dec. 3 2018, at Hickory Creek of Athens. Born Jan. 16, 1938 at home in Shade, Ohio, he was the son of the late Darl Rigg Cooley and Mary Silvia Tippie Cooley.

Chad attended Shade High School and later received his GED while serving in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959. He served aboard the U.S.S. Shangri-La as an Aviation Machinist working on jet engines. He received a Good Conduct Medal for his services. After returning to Athens, he worked as an electrician and built homes in the area with his father and brother. He retired from the Athens City Fire Dept. where he served for 23 years; his last 11 years as Chief. He was a member of Bates United Methodist Church and was a lay minister with the United Methodist Church. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army, the Board of Directors of the Foothills District of the United Methodist Church, and also the board of the Le-Ax Water District.

Chad is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn "Sue" Daft Cooley; a daughter, Shelly (Kris) Hoce of Palm Harbor, FL; a son, Chad Mitchell Cooley of Vero Beach, FL; four grandchildren, Garrett & Gibson Hoce, Scott Miller & Jana Miller Huss; a sister, Sherry (Larry) Coon of Athens; and a brother, William S. Cooley of Athens; three sisters-in-law, Jane Cooley of Athens, Shirley Tribe of Albany and Kathryn (Douglas) Reeder of Vincent; and a brother-in-law, Gerald "Butch" (Diana) Daft of Albany and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he is preceded in death by a brother, Royce D. Cooley, who died Nov. 21, 2018; a sister in law, Joan Cooley; and a brother in law, Gary Tribe. Funeral service will be conducted Saturday Dec. 15, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens, with Pastor Mark Mitera and Pastor Carrie Ator-James officiating. Burial will be in Bates Church Cemetery, Alexander Township, with the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.

Friends may call Saturday, Dec. 15 ^th from 12:00 noon until time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bates Cemetery Association, ℅ Pat Brickles, Clerk-Treasurer, 5759 Pleasant Hill Road, Athens, OH 45701 or the Salvation Army, 70 N. Plains Road, #122, The Plains, OH 45780. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.