James D. "Don" Cooley, 65 of Etowah passed away on Sunday morning, March 8, 2015 at his residence following a short battle with neuroendocrine cancer.

He was born February 18, 1950 in Athens, TN. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Eaves Cooley; father, Fred Cooley; and his sister, Patty Cooley Smith.

Survivors include his wife, Gale Worcester Cooley of Etowah; daughter and son-in-law, Briana Cooley-English and Jason English of Crossville, TN; son, William Burley Cooley and special friend, Taylor Perryman of Knoxville, TN; 3 uncles, B.W. "Bug" Cooley, Bob Cooley and E.W. "Pig" Cooley; and many other family members and close friends.

Don chose to have his body donated for research to allow more to be known about the cancer he was diagnosed with in January, 2015. A "celebration of Life" ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to The Fellowship Center "outpatient family lodging center" which graciously housed the Cooley's during their treatment time at Ft. Sanders. Fellowship Center, 1901 Clinch Ave., Knoxville, TN 37916.