James Cooley

James "Jim" Lawrence Cooley, beloved husband, father, grand- and great-grandfather passed away as a result of COVID-19, on the evening of 28 April 2020 at Prince George's Hospital Center, Maryland. Jim Cooley was born on 17 April 1938 in Northampton, MA and grew up in Pelham, MA, in rural and humble beginnings. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1960 with a BS in Mathematics, and in 1962 received his MA in Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University. He started his employment in 1963 as a Mathematician and Aerospace Engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, where he was recognized with multiple citations and held many positions including as head of the Mission Design Section and as a staff engineer. Jim leaves behind a 34 year legacy of work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, where he helped with orbital mechanics of satellites that helped monitor and warn of weather dangers. Jim leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Brenda whom he met in College, daughter Deborah, son Andrew and his wife Lynn, two granddaughters Ciera and Ruth, and great-grandson Landyn. He also leaves behind a myriad of friends in the community of Greenbelt, MD, where he served in numerous capacities across church and civic organizations. Jim had a passion for wine tasting, jogging, and sports, especially the Maryland Terrapins. He shared all of these experiences with his family as often as he could.