COOLEY, Thomas D.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ July 28, 1966, p.1 Cowboy Is Found Dead In A Motel Police were called to the Shell Motel at approximately 9:34 a.m. July 22 by Joseph G. Schwertfeger, owner and proprietor, who found the body of Thomas D. Cooley, age 43, in one of the motel units. Cooley, employed as a cowboy on the Emett Ryan Ranch west of town some 12 miles, checked into the motel at 11 p.m. the night before. Police theorize that he had been smoking in bed and lighted cigarette had set the mattress on fire. Death was probably due to suffocation or asphyxiation. Graveside services for Mr Cooley were held at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning at Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa. A native of Roswell, N.M., he was a veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion. Survivors include his parents, Mr & Mrs Danner Cooley of Albuquerque, N.M. and two sisters outs of state.