St. Cloud
02/01/2008

We regret to inform our readers that KSIB founder, Harlan R Cooley, born June 12th, 1952, passed away this morning, at the age of 55.

This is not an attempt at his obituary, but rather a notification to the KSIB readership and our friends in the community that he has passed. Whether we called him “Harlan” or by his informal name “Ray", I don’t think anyone who knew him will ever forget the impact he has made in our lives.

When I first learned of the troubling medical conditions that had overtaken his body, I couldn’t help but think that he was strong enough and stubborn enough to overcome them. I couldn’t speculate as to whether this was a form of denial on my part, or if I just believed that someone as bright and intelligent as Harlan could employ the old “mind over body” technique and fight these medical problems off. He did fight them off, valiantly in fact and for many years, which in hindsight is great testament to the strength of his mind and even his soul, but alas they eventually won the war.

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I was fortunate enough to meet Harlan in the early 1990’s and we quickly became friends and business associates. Anytime that I needed to hear a voice of reason, I could depend on Harlan for an honest and well thought opinion on any range of topics. His part of our conversations may not have always been what I wanted to hear, but never once did I feel that what he had said was anything but his true beliefs on any given situation.

Even when we have had disagreements over the years, as friends often do, Harlan was quick to forgive when I was wrong, and quick to acknowledge when I was right, making it one of the easiest relationships to have and one of the dearest kinds to miss. Politics, religion, and all of the other topics that one might normally avoid in close company were easily discussed with Harlan, without fear of knee-jerk responses, or arguments, just open non tempered discussion.

Those of you who had an opportunity to get to know Harlan might also agree that he wouldn’t want his passing to cause anyone grief, but rather would want them to know that he has moved on to his light within and to encourage them to keep on making the best of their lives whenever possible.

Knowing Harlan as I do, I would venture to say that nobody will be able to guess his password on his computer and find lists of all of his friends, family and business associates to contact, so please pass this message along to whomever you like.

I would also ask that you please consider attending the services and supporting his family in their time of need. Contributions for the services may be sent to Grissom Funeral Home in advance of the services mentioned below.

We will leave this message here on our home page for the entire month of February in honor of Harlan Ray Cooley and all he has contributed to our community. Please take this opportunity to spread the word of his passing.

I will miss Harlan, but I am comforted in the knowledge that he is now in a better place.

Thank you,
Marcus Tilghman

Services for Harlan Ray Cooley will be held:
Monday, February 4th, 2008 from 6 to 8 PM
Grissom Funeral Home
803 Emmett Street
Kissimmee, Florida 34741
Phone: (407) 847-3131
Click Here for Driving Directions

Harlan’s obituary was published in The Orlando Sentinel, Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 on Page B7.

COOLEY, HARLAN RAYMOND, 55, went to be with the Lord Friday, February 01, 2008.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he is survived by his loving wife, Connie; daughter, Jennifer Beeler; sisters, Janice Farber and Barbara Ann; brother Gar Cooley.

A gathering of friends for Harlan will be Monday, February 4th from 6-7PM with a Memorial service immediately following at 7PM at Grissom Funeral Home, Kissimmee.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Comforter, 480 W. Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714