James R aymond Dooley

James Raymond Dooley, 64, of Merritt Island, Florida passed on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. He was born January 17, 1960 on Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, James H. Dooley, Jr, and sister Kathleen Dooley Roscana.
After graduating from Salisbury High School in 1978, Jim attended Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., graduating in 1982. He was employed for 40 years as a senior systems analyst, first in Washington, DC and then in Florida with the Harris Corporation.
Jim was a daring young man who grew up on Air Force bases. He would cruise down Stoney Creek with friends on a raft made from foam crates that once held bombs. He also enjoyed laying at the runway's end and watching the B-52s take off over him.
He later learned home and car repair from his father and grandfather. Jim showed early signs of engineering talent, taking apart and reassembling engines from lawn mowers, mini bikes, and later the family car. He often ended up with an extra part, but things seemed to run better.
He often disassembled clock radios, tape players, and record players, collecting speakers. Jim wired his room for sound so he could hear his music the way he wanted. Loud.
Jim loved to work with his hands, and often returned to Salisbury to help his parents with home improvement and repairs.
Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Rita Dooley of Salisbury, his wife of 25 years, Jill Dooley of Merritt Island, Florida, Daughters Lauren Edinger of Merritt Island and Natalie Edinger of Merritt Island, and two grandchildren; sisters Peggy Dooley Isley (Frank) of Salisbury, Dr. Mary Anne Dooley (John) of Chapel Hill, Dr. Elizabeth Bell (Danny) of Chapel Hill, and Alma Marshall of Salisbury; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to K9s for Warriors, or Saving Grace K9s, Lexington, NC.