Lifetime resident of Blanco, Ronald Thomas Cooley, known as Ronnie Cooley, passed away on June 1, 2020. He was born in Blanco at the Old Blanco Courthouse on March 31, 1955 to Samuel Richard Cooley (Sam, as he was known) and Ada (Franke) Cooley. At that time, the courthouse had been converted into a hospital.

The Cooleys owned and operated a dairy farm, the “Triple C Dairy,” and farm near Blanco, and C & C Grocery Store (where CJ’s Exxon is currently located) in Blanco for many years. Ronnie worked on the family farm and dairy for most of his life until it was decided to sell out due to a depleting market. Around that time, he started to work at Klepac Brothers Greenhouses, where he worked for the last 20 years. He enjoyed working with plants and shared that love with his family. At times, he would bring flowers to his mother, Ada, or his nieces. He would also share some of his knowledge in the best ways to care for these plants.

Ronnie loved to bowl and was a member of the Blanco Bowling Club Hall of Fame. He also loved to travel with his mother Ada to Arkansas where they would visit with his brother Bill and extended family there. He would visit there at least once or twice a year. He loved his cats and took very good care of them. We would sometimes tease him, telling him that he didn’t have to feed them as much as he did.

Ronnie was a very gentle and soft-spoken man with a kind spirit. He will be missed very much by all of us. His father, Sam Cooley, his mother Ada Cooley, his brother John Richard (JR, as he was known) and his brother Floyd Cooley, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his brother; Bill (Sue) Cooley of Huntsville, Arkansas; Nieces: Brenda (Randy) Witten of Alamosa, Colorado; Debbie Allen of Huntsville, Arkansas; Angie (Pat) Daniels of Blanco; and Paula (Mark) Batey of Blanco; Nephews: Kevin (Linda) Cooley of Huntsville, Arkansas; Jason Cooley of Huntsville, Arkansas; Michael (Faye) Cooley of Blanco; and David Cooley of Blanco; and Sister-in-law Betty Cooley of Blanco; Many more extended family members and friends also survive him.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 8, at Crofts–Crow Funeral Home with Rev. Carlos Cloyd officiating. Interment followed at the Blanco Historic Cemetery.