John Wayne Cooley of Hot Springs, Arkansas, formerly of Newport, departed this life on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the age of 46. He was born August 6, 1977, in Newport, the son of Blanchard Edward and Fay (Whybrew) Cooley.
John graduated from Newport High School in 1995. He was a huge fan of everything Star Trek related and had a collection of books and memorabilia. John was gifted in electronics and computers, and he could fix anything that was broken. He loved his dogs, Jack, Kyle, and Maggie, and enjoyed spending time with his family. John also enjoyed traveling with his husband, Joe.
He was preceded in death by his father, Blanchard Cooley.
John is survived by his husband, Butch “Joe” Lemke of Hot Springs, his mother and step-father, Fay (Whybrew) Cooley and Elvis Clark of Newport, one brother, Edward Lee Cooley of Little Rock, and one sister, Janet Blair and her husband, Allen of Malvern. He is also survived by two nieces, Amanda Anders and her husband, David of Hot Springs, and Allison Victory of Fayetteville, as well as his great-nephews, Gavin and Dylan Anders. John’s dogs, Jack, Kyle, and Maggie, were also a big part of his life. He had several aunts, uncles, cousins, and a lifetime of friends, who will all miss him dearly.
Funeral service details are incomplete at time of posting.
