Frank Cooley

Frank Leonard Cooley, 89, Tiger, Ga.


Frank Leonard Cooley was born in Brooklyn New York on September 26, 1920. After a long illness he died at Mountain View Health Care Center in Clayton, GA on Wednesday, March 3, 2010.
He was one of five sons of a Methodist minister, George Cooley and his wife Frances Carr and the grandson of Frank Merwin Cooley and Emma Newell Cooley of DeSmet, SD and Mansfield, MO. Frank grew up in rural New York State, received his undergraduate education at Springfield College in Springfield MA and earned a Ph.D. in Divinity from Yale University.
As an ordained Methodist minister, Frank served the YMCA in China for Five years (1946-51); the served as a Christain educator, researcher and missionary in Indonesia (1956-1982) with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Frank was married to Lillian Ruth Rackham and had three children: Kirk (b.1955 in New Haven CT) Martin(b.in 1957 in Jakarta, Indonesia) and Monica(b. 1959 in Singapore). Frank was fluent in Mandarin and Indonesian and wrote numerous books and articles on the church in Indonesia and Christian-muslim dialogue.
Frank served the PCUSA in Atlanta (1982-1988) then retired. While in Atlanta, he became a member of a 12-step group and continued practicing the principles in all his affairs. He married his second wife, Carolyn Anne Martin in July 1990. In 1997 they retired to Tiger, GA, where he served two years as Stated Supply at Tiger Presbyterian Church in Rabun County.
Frank is survived by Ruth, Kirk, Martin and Monica, by Carolyn and her three children, by his brother Charles Cooley of Abingdon, VA, by sisters-in-law Aiko and Charlotte, by five step-grandchildren and by numerous nieces and nephews.
At his death Frank was an honorary Parish Associate at Nacoohee Presbyterian Church in Sautee Nacoochee, GA where a memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 14th at 2:30, followed by a reception for the family. Frank donated his body to research. When his cremains are returned, they will be scattered in Nachoochee’s memorial garden, the Soque River and if possible some will be taken to Indonesia by his son, Martin Cooley.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mission Fund, Nachoochee Presbyterian Church, P.O. box 87, HWY 255 N. Sautee, GA 30571. Telephone 706-878-2226 and website with a guest book page for Frank:www.nachoocheepresbyterian.org.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
An on line register is availble at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com