Matt ''Doc'' Cooley, Louisiana Veterinarian, Passes at Age 100

Longtime Louisiana veterinarian Matt "Doc" Cooley died May 18 at the age of 100.

© Courtesy Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home & Park

BENTON, LA–MARCH 3, 2025–Matt "Doc" Cooley, age 100, of Benton, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in Bossier City, Louisiana. He met his Lord and Savior while holding his wife's hand, who never left his side.

Matt's visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037, followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 p.m.

Matt was born on January 27, 1925, in Headrick, Oklahoma, to Matt Echols and Ida Bell Cooley. After high school, Matt enlisted in the Navy as a Merchant Marine. He served during WWII while completing his studies at Texas A&M, located in College Station, Texas. Matt received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine with honors in 1948.

He began his career as an Equine Surgeon, practicing in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. He also taught Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M, where he was an alumni. He joined the Louisiana Racing Commission when Louisiana Downs first opened its doors in 1974; whereas, he ended his career notably as Medical Examiner for the State of Louisiana, Office of Racing Commission. Matt loved horses and the people he met during his career, as he considered them family.

His hobbies included gardening, extensive travel, and spending time with family. Matt's favorite travel destinations would include Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Rockport, Texas, as he and his wife traveled there multiple times.

Matt also traveled to Israel, where he described it as the most unique country he had ever experienced. Matt shared his stories of travel and one we recall was this trip to Israel. He said it reminded him of how he would envision biblical times and how it moved him knowing he walked where Jesus walked. Among other extraordinary countries his experiences were vast and memorable.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Matt Cooley and Ida Bell Akins; his brothers, Johnny Cooley and Bill Cooley; cousin, Barbara Jean Simms.

Matt is survived by his loving wife, Edith Lynn Cooley; children and their spouses, Bucky (Terri) Cooley, Lynea (Jr) Hollis, Jeremy (Leslie) Watts, and Sunny Lynn (Bryan) Smith; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences may be made at https://vetmed.tamu.edu/giving/.