[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF JESSE E. COOLEY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2011

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Jesse E. Cooley, Jr., who passed away on July 20, 2011 at the age of 
79. He will be remembered for his savvy business sense, impressive 
musical abilities, and his great service to Central Valley families.
  Jesse E. Cooley, Jr. was born on November 2, 1931 in Fresno, 
California. He attended Edison High School where he was class 
president, played on the football team, ran for the track and field 
team, sang as a member of the Boys Glee Club, and played as lead 
drummer for the school band.
  Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Cooley embraced his passion for 
music. He found work playing as a member of the Cal Tjader jazz band, 
which served as the beginning of his music career. His talent provided 
him the opportunity to play with jazz legends including Lionel Hampton, 
Count Basie, and Jack Teagarden.
  In addition to having an impressive musical repertoire, Mr. Cooley 
was also a proud and respected businessman. Mr. Cooley's father, Jesse 
E. Cooley, Sr., opened the first Black-owned mortuary in the San 
Joaquin Valley. In 1953, Mr. Cooley followed in his father's footsteps 
when he teamed up with his business partner, Andrew Riolo, and opened 
the first Black-owned mortuary in Solono County, California. Three 
years later, Mr. Cooley returned to Fresno and immersed himself in the 
family business. In 1959, Mr. Cooley and his father opened the second 
branch of their business in Bakersfield, California to serve the 
residents of the southern Central Valley. The family business expanded 
north in 1971 when they opened a third location in Stockton, 
California.
  As a member of the San Joaquin Valley business community for more 
than 50 years, Mr. Cooley was able to help thousands of individuals 
during times of great sadness. The great amount of trust Central Valley 
families placed in Mr. Cooley and his business is exemplified by the 
10,000 services he hosted; most notably, the family of civil rights 
activist Cesar E. Chavez and the family of Major General Vang Pao.
  Whether he was playing music for his family and friends, or serving 
our community, Mr. Cooley will be remembered as a man filled with 
compassion and joy. He was preceded in death by his son, Jesse E. 
Cooley III. He is survived by his wife Barbara Taylor-Cooley; sons, 
Stephen R. Cooley, David A. Cooley, Phillip M. Cooley, and Corey D. 
Cooley; his daughters, Lisa C. Oliver and Christie M. Cooley; his 
sister Dorythea Cooley; and numerous friends and community members.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Jesse E. Cooley, Jr., an honorable and respected man with a commitment 
to bringing peace and comfort to families during their most difficult 
time. May his legacy continue to live on in our community and in the 
lives of those he touched.

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