Mick Cooley

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Michael Lloyd (Mick) Cooley, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, following a year long battle with cancer. Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Mick managed his illness with strength and wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible. On his final day, he was surrounded by his children, wife, and mom. 

Mick was born on March 21, 1959, in Carthage, Missouri to Lloyd Cooley and Sharon (Fasken) Cooley. He loved his hometown and being able to live and work on the farm. During high school, Mick was an FFA member. He received the American FFA degree, which is the highest degree you can receive in the FFA. 

Mick graduated from Carthage Senior High in 1977 and began his career as a machinist/millright at the young age of 13, helping after school and weekends standing on a box at the elbow of Andy Moorehouse as he worked and taught Mick how to use a lathe and many other tools. Mick continued his work life with Atlas Powder, retiring from Dyno Nobel as the Maintenance Lead in 2019. 

Mick and Debbie (Holland) were married on Valentine’s Day, 1981, after dating for 4 years following high school. They were blessed with two loving Children, Zack (Alenya) Cooley of Brooklyn, New York, and Whitney (Chad) Webber of Webb City, Missouri. The joy of his life was his two grandchildren, Layla and Jay. You could find Mick often with Layla watching her catch for her softball teams or with Jay out in Mick’s shop cleaning and organizing tools. 

Mick loved his John Deere tractors and was a walking encyclopedia on all things tractor related. He enjoyed spending his spare time fixing and restoring antique tractors and his beloved hit and miss engines. After a long day he could be found in his happy place, baling hay in the fields. 

Mick was preceded in death by his dad, Lloyd in January 2025, and both sets of grandparents. He is survived by his mom, wife, children, and grandchildren who are so grateful for their time with him and will miss him terribly. 

There will be a funeral service for Mick at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage. The visitation will be held the evening before at 6:00 PM on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Ulmer Funeral Home. The burial will take place at Fasken Cemetery directly following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Bethany Baptist Church for future building projects.
Condolences can be made at www.ulmerfh.com. 

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.