Obituaries

Roy Earl Cool

   Roy Earl Cool, 95 years of age and resident of Diana, WV went home to be with the Lord, January 21, 2021 at Country Living Private Care Home in Jane Lew. He was born May 20, 1925 in Diana, WV. 

   He was preceded in death by Jean, his wife of 70 years, and by his parents, Earl and Gae Cool of Diana, WV. He is survived by his sister, Neva Bickel of Woodstock, GA, his three sons; Roy Edward (Dee) Cool of Shinnston (Parkersburg), WV, John (Nancy) Cool of Lumberport, WV, Daniel ”Ike” (Cindy) Cool of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. 

   Roy married Doris Imogene ”Jean” Harper on December 26, 1948. He was a 1943 graduate of Webster Springs High School and briefly attended Davis and Elkins College after the war. He joined the navy at the age of 17 in 1943, which required special written permission of his parents. He was assigned to the USS Twiggs during WWII. The Twiggs sank after a Kamikaze attack in June of 1945. Roy was not on the ship at this time but was recuperating in the hospital from injuries sustained in a previous ship attack for which he received the Purple Heart. He found great comfort in reuniting in his retirement years with fellow survivors of the USS Twiggs at their annual reunions. 

   Roy found a career as a WV state police officer from 1954 to 1975 when he retired. He was stationed at several different locations in the north central part of the state. After retirement, he maintained his membership in the WV State Police Retired Members Association where, in recent years, he was the oldest member. He owned and operated Cool’s Market in Wallace, WV and later purchased the Wholesale Auction House in Shinnston where he sold merchandise, maintained a skating rink and a small diner. Roy and his wife were members of Courtesy Squares square dance club of Lumberport for many years. They also enjoyed spending many winters of their retirement in Cocoa Beach, Florida where Roy was president of their condo association and always had an activity planned for the residents. He was a member of the American Legion Post 31, Shinnston, a Master Mason with Addison Lodge No 116, Webster Springs, a Scottish Rite 32 degree Mason, Clarksburg and a member of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Adoniram No 11. Roy was also a member of the Holly River Baptist Church.

   Roy enjoyed life and had a keen sense of humor. He enjoyed and shared his love of music, whether it was singing (he was always ready to belt out a tune), picking at the guitar or attempting to learn to play the violin when he was in his 80s.    He loved living and working on the family farm and was often seen at both the Webster and Braxton County Senior Centers or eating at the Hometown Diner in Diana. Roy was a published author of five books that included his memoirs and autobiography.

   Cremation has already taken place but a graveside memorial service and interment will be held at Holly River Baptist Church cemetery at a later date this spring.

   Online condolences may be made to the family at www.doddreedfh.com.