Troy James Cooley, III
Troy James Cooley III, son of Troy J. and Tonya Cooley of Austin, grandson of Jim and Diane Cooley of Port O’Connor, has earned the honor of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Trip, as he is known, was a member of Troop 1, Austin. During the outdoor ceremony the Scouting Challenge was recited, History of the Eagle and Man, Lighting the Eagle Trail, The light of the Eagle Trail, The Light of the Eagle, Order of the Arrow, The Voice of the Eagle, Eagle Pledge and the Parents Ceremony were observed among other activities. After the ceremony the 75 friends and Scouts in attendance were treated to a great reception and dinner.
Trip’s many accomplishments in Scouting were acknowledged. Among those were a large outdoor deck built for a homeless community in Austin, and a neighborhood library station in front of their home which has been a great success. Many projects and levels of Scouting are required before being awarded the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. The projects require planning, engineering, approval by a Scout board and construction. Trip accomplished each task and was given many accolades for his diligence and hard work.
The final step in the Eagle Scout journey is the approval by the National and local Scouting Board. During the final Board of approval, Trip was acknowledged as an outstanding citizen, student and Scout.
Trip is a senior at Anderson High School in Austin where he is an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society and was Commended by National Merit Scholars. Trip has been accepted to University of Texas at Dallas where he will be studying physics.
December 4, 2016
Congratulations, Trip, upon achieving your Eagle Scout Award. You have attained a status that few men have.
The enclosed hatchet was your great grandfather’s, Troy Everett Cooley, 1912 – 2001. He purchased it when I was 8 years old (1949) when we lived on the farm in Kerens, Texas. Your great grandfather was born in Powell, Texas, and grew up as a poor farm boy. He went to work selling newspapers on Sunday mornings at age 9. He was unable to finish school because he had to work to help support the family.
He served in World War II as a First Sergeant in the famed Texas 36th Division. He was a true hero and never talked about it. In 1945 he was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery, along with two Purple Hearts. I know that he would have been as proud of you as we are.
Love Grandma and Grandpa
