Fred was born in Phoenix, AZ.
He graduated from University of Southern California in 1932 and Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, MO in 1936.
Dr. Cooley completed a four-year surgical residency in 1940 at Fresno County Hospital.
He and his first wife Peggy married in 1939 and celebrated 56 years of marriage.
After military service as a Captain in the United States Army from 1941 to 1946, Dr. Cooley practiced surgery and medicine until 1977.
He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, past president of the Fresno County Medical Society, and first president of the Central California Blood Bank.
Other accomplishments include serving as a Fresno County Grand Juror, and being a musician and charter member with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra.
As the first chairman of the advisory council for the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Fresno, Dr. Cooley served in that position for three years. He was awarded the prestigious "OTHERS" award for his commitment to the Weldon House, a drug abuse treatment program. In addition, he received the "Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service" award, one of only 63 Americans to have received this international high honor bestowed by the Salvation Army.
A Shriner in good standing and member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court No. 157 of Fresno, Dr. Cooley was also an honorary member of the Fresno County Cabrillo Club and one of the "Fabulous Fresnans" in the 1985 Fresno Centennial.
Listed in California's Who's Who, he was the recipient of the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship and recognized as an outstanding volunteer for the community.
Known lovingly as "Doc", Fred Cooley has entered the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ. Dr. Fred Cooley lived a full life devoted to family, patients, friends and his community.
He is survived by Bette Mello Cooley of Fresno, his beloved wife of 11 years; his stepchildren, Jacky McIntosh of Mission Viejo, Becky Mello of Fresno, and Clark and Lynnene Mello of Sanger; his grandchildren, Whitney Mello of San Diego and Colin Mello of Irvine; sister-in-law, Lorraine Bloomer; nieces Nancy, Julie, Kathleen and Patricia; and nephew Douglas.
Mrs. Cooley wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff at Twilight Haven who cared for Dr. Cooley with love and compassion during the last few months of his life. Further, a sincere thank you to the Third Floor medical staff in the West Wing of St. Agnes Medical Center for exemplary service.
To all of Doc's devoted caretakers, with special thanks to his niece, Sue Linn, may God's grace be with you all.
A Celebration in honor of Dr. Cooley's life will be held at Northwest Church, 5415 North West Avenue in Fresno, CA, on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that your remembrances be donated to the Salvation Army or to Northwest Church.
STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL 202 No. Teilman, Fresno (559) 268-9292
----------------------------------------
As taken from the Fresno Bee on 4/16/2006
Valley blood bank's first chief dies at 94
Dr. Fred Cooley performed surgery, delivered children, sutured wounds and quietly made his presence known in and out of Fresno hospitals and doctors' offices for more than 40 years.
Dr. Cooley died Monday. He was 94.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Northwest Church.
Dr. Cooley was born in Phoenix. At 15, he wanted to become a musician, but his mother had other ideas, says his wife, Bette. Young Fred Cooley did play percussion in small orchestras that sometimes provided music for burlesque shows. His mother allowed this on the condition that her son avert his eyes from the performing women.
Dr. Cooley graduated from the University of Southern California and from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. He was an Army captain during World War II and practiced surgery and medicine until 1977.
Dr. Cooley was a past president of the Fresno County Medical Society and had served as president of the Central California Blood Bank. He also was the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center's first chairman in Fresno. He was one of 63 Americans inducted into the Salvation Army's international Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service.
"He went up to San Francisco with others several times to get the blood bank started," Bette Cooley says. "He was its first president."
Dr. Cooley was named a "Fabulous Fresnan" during Fresno's centennial celebration in 1985.
Salvation Army Capt. Richard Larson calls Dr. Cooley "a great man for his compassion and concern for other people. He had the skills and abilities to get people the help they needed. ... The guy really did lead a life of service."
Bette Cooley and her first husband, Art, were among Dr. Cooley's first patients and saw him professionally for 27 years. Then she and Dr. Cooley lost contact. Both became widowed, met again years later in church, resumed their friendship and later married.
While playing with the Fresno Philharmonic, Dr. Cooley occasionally had to slip out during concerts to deliver babies, Bette Cooley says. Then he would slip back in, find his place in the music and resume playing drum, cymbal or other percussion.
Dr. Cooley loved to travel.
"It used to drive me crazy," Bette Cooley says. "The minute we would get back from one trip, he would hit the computer, looking for another."
She estimates that he traveled to 11 countries.
The family requests that remembrances be sent to the Salvation Army or to Northwest Church.
He graduated from University of Southern California in 1932 and Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, MO in 1936.
Dr. Cooley completed a four-year surgical residency in 1940 at Fresno County Hospital.
He and his first wife Peggy married in 1939 and celebrated 56 years of marriage.
After military service as a Captain in the United States Army from 1941 to 1946, Dr. Cooley practiced surgery and medicine until 1977.
He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, past president of the Fresno County Medical Society, and first president of the Central California Blood Bank.
Other accomplishments include serving as a Fresno County Grand Juror, and being a musician and charter member with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra.
As the first chairman of the advisory council for the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Fresno, Dr. Cooley served in that position for three years. He was awarded the prestigious "OTHERS" award for his commitment to the Weldon House, a drug abuse treatment program. In addition, he received the "Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service" award, one of only 63 Americans to have received this international high honor bestowed by the Salvation Army.
A Shriner in good standing and member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court No. 157 of Fresno, Dr. Cooley was also an honorary member of the Fresno County Cabrillo Club and one of the "Fabulous Fresnans" in the 1985 Fresno Centennial.
Listed in California's Who's Who, he was the recipient of the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship and recognized as an outstanding volunteer for the community.
Known lovingly as "Doc", Fred Cooley has entered the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ. Dr. Fred Cooley lived a full life devoted to family, patients, friends and his community.
He is survived by Bette Mello Cooley of Fresno, his beloved wife of 11 years; his stepchildren, Jacky McIntosh of Mission Viejo, Becky Mello of Fresno, and Clark and Lynnene Mello of Sanger; his grandchildren, Whitney Mello of San Diego and Colin Mello of Irvine; sister-in-law, Lorraine Bloomer; nieces Nancy, Julie, Kathleen and Patricia; and nephew Douglas.
Mrs. Cooley wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff at Twilight Haven who cared for Dr. Cooley with love and compassion during the last few months of his life. Further, a sincere thank you to the Third Floor medical staff in the West Wing of St. Agnes Medical Center for exemplary service.
To all of Doc's devoted caretakers, with special thanks to his niece, Sue Linn, may God's grace be with you all.
A Celebration in honor of Dr. Cooley's life will be held at Northwest Church, 5415 North West Avenue in Fresno, CA, on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that your remembrances be donated to the Salvation Army or to Northwest Church.
STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL 202 No. Teilman, Fresno (559) 268-9292
----------------------------------------
As taken from the Fresno Bee on 4/16/2006
Valley blood bank's first chief dies at 94
Dr. Fred Cooley performed surgery, delivered children, sutured wounds and quietly made his presence known in and out of Fresno hospitals and doctors' offices for more than 40 years.
Dr. Cooley died Monday. He was 94.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Northwest Church.
Dr. Cooley was born in Phoenix. At 15, he wanted to become a musician, but his mother had other ideas, says his wife, Bette. Young Fred Cooley did play percussion in small orchestras that sometimes provided music for burlesque shows. His mother allowed this on the condition that her son avert his eyes from the performing women.
Dr. Cooley graduated from the University of Southern California and from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. He was an Army captain during World War II and practiced surgery and medicine until 1977.
Dr. Cooley was a past president of the Fresno County Medical Society and had served as president of the Central California Blood Bank. He also was the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center's first chairman in Fresno. He was one of 63 Americans inducted into the Salvation Army's international Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service.
"He went up to San Francisco with others several times to get the blood bank started," Bette Cooley says. "He was its first president."
Dr. Cooley was named a "Fabulous Fresnan" during Fresno's centennial celebration in 1985.
Salvation Army Capt. Richard Larson calls Dr. Cooley "a great man for his compassion and concern for other people. He had the skills and abilities to get people the help they needed. ... The guy really did lead a life of service."
Bette Cooley and her first husband, Art, were among Dr. Cooley's first patients and saw him professionally for 27 years. Then she and Dr. Cooley lost contact. Both became widowed, met again years later in church, resumed their friendship and later married.
While playing with the Fresno Philharmonic, Dr. Cooley occasionally had to slip out during concerts to deliver babies, Bette Cooley says. Then he would slip back in, find his place in the music and resume playing drum, cymbal or other percussion.
Dr. Cooley loved to travel.
"It used to drive me crazy," Bette Cooley says. "The minute we would get back from one trip, he would hit the computer, looking for another."
She estimates that he traveled to 11 countries.
The family requests that remembrances be sent to the Salvation Army or to Northwest Church.
Fred was born in Phoenix, AZ.
He graduated from University of Southern California in 1932 and Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, MO in 1936.
Dr. Cooley completed a four-year surgical residency in 1940 at Fresno County Hospital.
He and his first wife Peggy married in 1939 and celebrated 56 years of marriage.
After military service as a Captain in the United States Army from 1941 to 1946, Dr. Cooley practiced surgery and medicine until 1977.
He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, past president of the Fresno County Medical Society, and first president of the Central California Blood Bank.
Other accomplishments include serving as a Fresno County Grand Juror, and being a musician and charter member with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra.
As the first chairman of the advisory council for the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Fresno, Dr. Cooley served in that position for three years. He was awarded the prestigious "OTHERS" award for his commitment to the Weldon House, a drug abuse treatment program. In addition, he received the "Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service" award, one of only 63 Americans to have received this international high honor bestowed by the Salvation Army.
A Shriner in good standing and member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court No. 157 of Fresno, Dr. Cooley was also an honorary member of the Fresno County Cabrillo Club and one of the "Fabulous Fresnans" in the 1985 Fresno Centennial.
Listed in California's Who's Who, he was the recipient of the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship and recognized as an outstanding volunteer for the community.
Known lovingly as "Doc", Fred Cooley has entered the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ. Dr. Fred Cooley lived a full life devoted to family, patients, friends and his community.
He is survived by Bette Mello Cooley of Fresno, his beloved wife of 11 years; his stepchildren, Jacky McIntosh of Mission Viejo, Becky Mello of Fresno, and Clark and Lynnene Mello of Sanger; his grandchildren, Whitney Mello of San Diego and Colin Mello of Irvine; sister-in-law, Lorraine Bloomer; nieces Nancy, Julie, Kathleen and Patricia; and nephew Douglas.
Mrs. Cooley wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff at Twilight Haven who cared for Dr. Cooley with love and compassion during the last few months of his life. Further, a sincere thank you to the Third Floor medical staff in the West Wing of St. Agnes Medical Center for exemplary service.
To all of Doc's devoted caretakers, with special thanks to his niece, Sue Linn, may God's grace be with you all.
A Celebration in honor of Dr. Cooley's life will be held at Northwest Church, 5415 North West Avenue in Fresno, CA, on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that your remembrances be donated to the Salvation Army or to Northwest Church.
STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL 202 No. Teilman, Fresno (559) 268-9292
----------------------------------------
As taken from the Fresno Bee on 4/16/2006
Valley blood bank's first chief dies at 94
Dr. Fred Cooley performed surgery, delivered children, sutured wounds and quietly made his presence known in and out of Fresno hospitals and doctors' offices for more than 40 years.
Dr. Cooley died Monday. He was 94.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Northwest Church.
Dr. Cooley was born in Phoenix. At 15, he wanted to become a musician, but his mother had other ideas, says his wife, Bette. Young Fred Cooley did play percussion in small orchestras that sometimes provided music for burlesque shows. His mother allowed this on the condition that her son avert his eyes from the performing women.
Dr. Cooley graduated from the University of Southern California and from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. He was an Army captain during World War II and practiced surgery and medicine until 1977.
Dr. Cooley was a past president of the Fresno County Medical Society and had served as president of the Central California Blood Bank. He also was the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center's first chairman in Fresno. He was one of 63 Americans inducted into the Salvation Army's international Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service.
"He went up to San Francisco with others several times to get the blood bank started," Bette Cooley says. "He was its first president."
Dr. Cooley was named a "Fabulous Fresnan" during Fresno's centennial celebration in 1985.
Salvation Army Capt. Richard Larson calls Dr. Cooley "a great man for his compassion and concern for other people. He had the skills and abilities to get people the help they needed. ... The guy really did lead a life of service."
Bette Cooley and her first husband, Art, were among Dr. Cooley's first patients and saw him professionally for 27 years. Then she and Dr. Cooley lost contact. Both became widowed, met again years later in church, resumed their friendship and later married.
While playing with the Fresno Philharmonic, Dr. Cooley occasionally had to slip out during concerts to deliver babies, Bette Cooley says. Then he would slip back in, find his place in the music and resume playing drum, cymbal or other percussion.
Dr. Cooley loved to travel.
"It used to drive me crazy," Bette Cooley says. "The minute we would get back from one trip, he would hit the computer, looking for another."
She estimates that he traveled to 11 countries.
The family requests that remembrances be sent to the Salvation Army or to Northwest Church.
He graduated from University of Southern California in 1932 and Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, MO in 1936.
Dr. Cooley completed a four-year surgical residency in 1940 at Fresno County Hospital.
He and his first wife Peggy married in 1939 and celebrated 56 years of marriage.
After military service as a Captain in the United States Army from 1941 to 1946, Dr. Cooley practiced surgery and medicine until 1977.
He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, past president of the Fresno County Medical Society, and first president of the Central California Blood Bank.
Other accomplishments include serving as a Fresno County Grand Juror, and being a musician and charter member with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra.
As the first chairman of the advisory council for the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Fresno, Dr. Cooley served in that position for three years. He was awarded the prestigious "OTHERS" award for his commitment to the Weldon House, a drug abuse treatment program. In addition, he received the "Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service" award, one of only 63 Americans to have received this international high honor bestowed by the Salvation Army.
A Shriner in good standing and member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court No. 157 of Fresno, Dr. Cooley was also an honorary member of the Fresno County Cabrillo Club and one of the "Fabulous Fresnans" in the 1985 Fresno Centennial.
Listed in California's Who's Who, he was the recipient of the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship and recognized as an outstanding volunteer for the community.
Known lovingly as "Doc", Fred Cooley has entered the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ. Dr. Fred Cooley lived a full life devoted to family, patients, friends and his community.
He is survived by Bette Mello Cooley of Fresno, his beloved wife of 11 years; his stepchildren, Jacky McIntosh of Mission Viejo, Becky Mello of Fresno, and Clark and Lynnene Mello of Sanger; his grandchildren, Whitney Mello of San Diego and Colin Mello of Irvine; sister-in-law, Lorraine Bloomer; nieces Nancy, Julie, Kathleen and Patricia; and nephew Douglas.
Mrs. Cooley wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff at Twilight Haven who cared for Dr. Cooley with love and compassion during the last few months of his life. Further, a sincere thank you to the Third Floor medical staff in the West Wing of St. Agnes Medical Center for exemplary service.
To all of Doc's devoted caretakers, with special thanks to his niece, Sue Linn, may God's grace be with you all.
A Celebration in honor of Dr. Cooley's life will be held at Northwest Church, 5415 North West Avenue in Fresno, CA, on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that your remembrances be donated to the Salvation Army or to Northwest Church.
STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL 202 No. Teilman, Fresno (559) 268-9292
----------------------------------------
As taken from the Fresno Bee on 4/16/2006
Valley blood bank's first chief dies at 94
Dr. Fred Cooley performed surgery, delivered children, sutured wounds and quietly made his presence known in and out of Fresno hospitals and doctors' offices for more than 40 years.
Dr. Cooley died Monday. He was 94.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Northwest Church.
Dr. Cooley was born in Phoenix. At 15, he wanted to become a musician, but his mother had other ideas, says his wife, Bette. Young Fred Cooley did play percussion in small orchestras that sometimes provided music for burlesque shows. His mother allowed this on the condition that her son avert his eyes from the performing women.
Dr. Cooley graduated from the University of Southern California and from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. He was an Army captain during World War II and practiced surgery and medicine until 1977.
Dr. Cooley was a past president of the Fresno County Medical Society and had served as president of the Central California Blood Bank. He also was the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center's first chairman in Fresno. He was one of 63 Americans inducted into the Salvation Army's international Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service.
"He went up to San Francisco with others several times to get the blood bank started," Bette Cooley says. "He was its first president."
Dr. Cooley was named a "Fabulous Fresnan" during Fresno's centennial celebration in 1985.
Salvation Army Capt. Richard Larson calls Dr. Cooley "a great man for his compassion and concern for other people. He had the skills and abilities to get people the help they needed. ... The guy really did lead a life of service."
Bette Cooley and her first husband, Art, were among Dr. Cooley's first patients and saw him professionally for 27 years. Then she and Dr. Cooley lost contact. Both became widowed, met again years later in church, resumed their friendship and later married.
While playing with the Fresno Philharmonic, Dr. Cooley occasionally had to slip out during concerts to deliver babies, Bette Cooley says. Then he would slip back in, find his place in the music and resume playing drum, cymbal or other percussion.
Dr. Cooley loved to travel.
"It used to drive me crazy," Bette Cooley says. "The minute we would get back from one trip, he would hit the computer, looking for another."
She estimates that he traveled to 11 countries.
The family requests that remembrances be sent to the Salvation Army or to Northwest Church.
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