Royce D. Cooley, age 87, of Athens died Wednesday evening, Nov. 21, 2018 at Hickory Creek of Athens. Born Dec. 19, 1930 in Toledo, he was the son of the late Darl Rigg Cooley and Mary Silvia Tippie Cooley.

A 1949 graduate of Shade High School, he retired from the Athens City Fire Dept. as Captain, where he served for over 30 years as a firefighter.  He was a member of the Bates United Methodist Church.  He was a 50 year member of Paramuthia Lodge 25 F.&A.M., Athens Chapter 39 R.A.M., Athens Council 15 R.&S.M. and Athens Commandery K.T.  He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Cambridge, Aladdin Temple Shrine and the Athens Co. Shrine Club.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving on the USS Ross.

Royce is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary "Jane" Matson Cooley; a daughter, Lisa (Kevin) Sidders of Charlotte, NC; two sons, Ron (Lori) Cooley of Navarre, O and Steven (Kelly) Cooley of London, O; six grandchildren, Lindsay Love, Anna Sidders, Connor Cooley, William Cooley, Ron Cooley and Angie Grass; four great grandchildren, Evan, Collin, Aiden and Lila Grass; a sister, Sherry (Larry) Coon of Athens; two brothers, R. Chad (Sue) Cooley and William S. Cooley both of Athens; a sister in law, Anne Paskievitch of Athens; several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister in law, Joan Cooley; and a brother in law, Frank Paskievitch.

Funeral service will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 1 ^st , at 2:00 p.m. at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens.  Burial will be in Bates Cemetery, Alexander Township, with the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.  Friends may call Saturday Dec. 1 ^st from 12:00 noon until time of service at the funeral home.  Paramuthia Lodge 25 will hold Masonic Rites Saturday at 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to OhioHealth Hospice and Home Care, 444 W. Union St., Suite C, Athens, OH 45701.  Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.