James A. Cooley

COOLEY, JAMES A.
Jim unexpectedly, but peacefully passed away on October 25, 2002 while on vacation. He was 70 years old.He was born in Upland, California June 25th 1932, to the late Grace and Harry Cooley. Jim has an older sister, Jane. After his mother's early death, his father remarried and Jim became the stepson of Nettie Cooley. Jim was a graduate of Chaffey High School, class of 1950, in Ontario, California. Soon after he married his high school sweet heart, Dolores Wallace. They celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this summer. Jim and Dolores moved to Davis where he received his Bachelor Degree in Agronomy from UC Davis, 1954. After graduating from UCD, he enlisted in the United States Army, and served from 1954 - 1956. After an honorable discharge he and Dolores settled in Dixon, California, where he resided for 46 years until his death. Jim was the proud father of his three sons. His eldest son Mark and his wife Polly are the parents of Corinne, Kendra and Tara. Matthew and his wife Michelle are the parents of Natalie and Seth. Both families reside in Dixon. Paul and his wife Marie are the parents of Remington and Paris, and reside in Sacramento. His sister Jane and her husband Don Chandler live in Santa Barbara. Jim started farming in the Davis and Dixon areas with his cousin Van Smith. In 1965 he began farming on his own. Later he founded Cooley Enterprises. He was one of the first tomato growers to use a Johnson mechanical harvester. Mark and Matthew joined Cooley Enterprises as Jim's partners. With his father's encouragement, Paul became a civil engineer. Jim was very involved in various civic organizations and activities. He was in the first class of the California Agricultural Leadership program, a past member of the Dixon School Board, a past Dixon Rotarian member, and served on the board of directors for Tri Valley Growers for 20 years. Please join the Cooley Family as we celebrate Jim's life, November 1, 2002 at the First Baptist Church, 38141 Russell Blvd, Davis, CA at 11:00 AM. To his family and numerous friends Jim's warmth and kindness will never be forgotten, but always missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacramento Children's Home at 2750 Sutterville Rd. Sacramento, CA 95820.