Joshua Jonathon Cooley, 47, Brooksville. Fl. passed away 10/22/23. A descendent of a military family dating back to WW2, he served Pasco County as a deputy, swat, sniper for ten years and felt compelled on 9/11/2001 to serve his nation, thus joining the U.S.M.C. Sgt Cooley served with honor and integrity in Iraq, making the ultimate sacrifice from an IED suffering the worst traumatic brain injury of the war, miraculously defying the odds living life to the fullest for 18 years with hard work, joy, dignity, courage and determination. He walked, talked, and had no memory loss. At Walter Reed they said “never say never to Josh”. He rode his therapy horse, sang onstage with Toby Keith, loved history, trivia, loved the outdoors, movies, music, his bass guitar, taking apart his guns, working in the barn and his church family. He thrived around his “guys”, spoke at a TBI conference at Walter Reed, and loved kids. He was a larger than life man who loved his police and Marine families and saved his gentle side for his mom. He is survived by his mom Christine, brothers Eddie, Christopher and Abe, their wives Lesley. Jenn, Dana, nephews and nieces Alex, Carisa, Tyler and Mare, Lexi, Grace, Sara and Emma. You are loved Josh and he would say “As it should be”
Military Memorial 11/17/23 at 10:30 Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell
Celebration of life in January date to be determined.
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Joshua Cooley
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Josh,
In life, you served your country with bravery and distinction, protected the men and women you deployed with saving lives, overcame severe injury surpassing all hopes, persevered through rehabilitation, continued to live life to its fullest, and inspired every single person privileged to know you. I will miss you Marine.
Christine,
I learned from you recently that Josh was baptized as a Christian, and when asked why he accepted Christ, he said “because I lived.” Amazing. I know that in death Josh is still there, and I want you to know that because of your and Josh’s recent presence and message to those caring for patients with penetrating brain injury, Josh is still saving lives around the world.
It was a privilege and honor to be Josh’s friend , I am so very proud to say that. Christine, Josh and I had so much fun singing, unloading hay, taking care of the * Kids\ horses,* cruising around in the *Hauler* and just hanging out together, you always amazed me Joshua,*As It Should Be.* I love you and I’m going to miss you so very much Big Little Brother.
Best Brother. Love you
Josh,
It was such a privilege to meet you and be a part of you and Christine’s life. Thank you so much for allowing me to help take care of your incredible horses, and just being an everlasting inspiration of what it really means to live your life to the absolute fullest and with enormous purpose. You will be so missed, God has gained an incredible angel. Thank you so much for the joy you brought to this life, and thank you for your sacrifice of serving this country.
Christine
You and Josh have made an amazing impact on my life, and it is such a pleasure to know you and have gotten to know Josh. Lots of love and prayers for you in this difficult time.
Josh and Christine,
Your shining example of service, fortitude and tenacity was an example to all of us who had the good fortune to know you. We all learned about the power of faith and strength by watching you through the years. You exceeded everyone’s expectation and showed us what is possible. We are forever grateful and blessed to have know you and better people because of you. You have made us rethink medicine, smile and cry all at the same time. Thanks for all you have done!
Christine,
You never ever lost faith! It was inspiring to all of us privileged to care for Josh and work to advance the care of both military and civilian patients. We were your students and are forever grateful!l. There is a special place in my heart for you and Josh which I will never forget.May you always remember the many lives you have made better by your unending love!
Josh, a man of men. Thank you for your service and the impact you had on my life. Service was in you through and through. We grieve the loss of a true American hero. Christine…you and your family are in our prayers.
With Love,
Steven, Anne and family.
Joshua., I will always remember you and you will always be in my heart. Heaven has gained one more angel.!
David Milam
I am saddened yet I am also at peace knowing that Josh has been called home to be with Our Father. As much as we will all miss him, I know his greatest battle is behind him and he is whole and in glory.
I had the fortune to meet Josh and Christine several years ago at a Toby show in Tampa FL. At that time, he was still in a wheelchair but that didn’t keep him from standing up when he met Toby. Over the years, they continued to come out to shows and we were always amazed at the progress he was making. He even went out on stage and took over singing “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue” on more than one occasion! We stayed in touch and I had the opportunity to visit with him at Walter Reed where he continued to inspire and amaze the caregivers there with his unwavering strength. I have been blessed to know Josh and Christine and have met some of his other family members as well and I know that they are going to miss him dearly as will I. I will remember my friend for his bravery, his service to us all and to his wit. I feel blessed that God put him and Christine in my life.
What a blessing to have met you Josh and Christine. I got to witness a mothers love like no other. We will always remember you big guy. May you rest in peace.
There is not enough words to describe how much joy Josh brought into my life. I never heard him complain about anything. He was always concerned about others and let you know. We had fun together Kristine, Josh, and myself. He obligingly let me kiss his noggin every time we were together. I will miss you so very much but I feel much joy for where you are. This isn’t goodbye. It’s I will see you before we know it. As it should be. Dee
Once a service member, always a service member. Josh embodied this saying more than anyone I have ever known and I will ever know.
I had the utmost privilege meeting Josh and Christine at a conference this past September. Meeting them, being in their light-filled presence, and hearing their stories was lifechanging. I get goosebumps every time I reflect on this experience and I reflect on it often. It is a memory I will fondly cherish and carry deep in my heart for the rest of my life. I’m a better person for meeting them.
Josh and Christine had a tremendous impact on my life. Yet, that pails in comparison to the sweeping influence they have made and will continue to make on thousands, if not millions, of other’s lives. Josh’s experiences, resilience, and wise teachings are being shared, studied, and applied by specialists worldwide. Countless others with similar experiences will live because of Josh and Christine. How remarkable. What more could we ever hope to accomplish during our time on this earth?
Semper Fi, Marine. Until we meet again.
To the right of the line Sgt Cooley.
To Josh’s family. I don’t have the words to express my regret and condolences. I was in Hit when the track hit the car bomb and was one of the guys who helped get Josh on the 53 that came to get him. He had a great reputation and was a absolute man of action. I have thought about reaching out 100 times to check on him but I have no excuse. Please accept my genuine condolences and humble respect for the sacrifice the Cooley family has given our nation. God bless you, truly. Semper Fidelis.
Jeff Schuller