Gary J. Cooney

Gary J. Cooney, age 81 of Hudson, passed away, Wednesday September 11, 2024, at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo.

A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. Military Honors will be conducted at the funeral home by the Air Force Honor Guard, Iowa State Patrol Honor Guard and Marengo American Legion Post 76. The family will receive friends from 9-11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 21, 2024 at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Waterloo at 2:00 P.M. A memorial fund has been established. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife Elaine; a daughter Alisa Cooney of Waterloo; siblings Mike (Jade) of Patriot, IN, Frank (Debbie) of Solon, Tim (Janine) of Urbandale, and Jeannette Cooney of Johnston; along with nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Emmett and Garth.

Gary Joseph Cooney was born October 16, 1942, in Hawthorne California, the son of Joseph and Lois Hoyle Cooney. He graduated from Iowa Valley High School in 1961 and attended State College of Iowa.  Gary served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1970, stationed in Texas, Okinawa Oklahoma, New York, and served two tours in Vietnam. He and Alice Elaine Hayes were married on January 2, 1965, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Marengo. Gary served as Iowa County Deputy Sheriff for two years. He served with the Iowa State Patrol for 28 years, achieving the rank of captain. He retired from the Patrol in October of 2000. Following his retirement, Gary spent several years as a volunteer van driver for the MercyOne patients.

Gary enjoyed his life of service to his country, his state, and his community. He was a member of the Iowa State Troopers Association, Iowa State Patrol Supervisors, the Iowa State Police Association, the National Troopers Association, the Hudson Lions Club, Wilton Municipal Light and Power Board of Trustees. He served as chairman of the Hudson Municipal Electric Utility for 5 years, and chairman of the Cedar Valley Corvette Club for two years . He loved spending time driving the countryside in his Corvette, and vacations at the beach.