Garth Alexander Cooley

Grandmaster Garth Alexander Cooley June 27, 1967 – March 2, 2025 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 On Sunday morning, March 2nd, Garth went home to be with our Lord. When he took his last breath on earth, he was doing what he loved – training in taekwondo alongside his dear friend of 40 years, Grandmaster Don Cottee. He departed this world wearing his dobok, which if God gave any of us the choice on what we will be wearing when we pass… that’s exactly what Grandmaster Cooley would have picked out. While we are still trying to grasp the suddenness of his passing, our comfort is in knowing he is with the Lord, and now reunited with his beloved Mom, Dolly and his dear Grandma Millie. It's incredibly hard to put into words the indelible mark he made on countless lives in his 57 years, and this tribute could never begin to summarize his impact. But, it was at the young age of 13 years old when Garth discovered his passion, and God set him on his life’s mission. Garth began taekwondo shortly after moving to Indianapolis with his Mom, brother and sister when he faced bullying at his new school. His Mom signed Garth up for taekwondo with Grandmaster Chul Koo Yoon. His journey officially began. What started off as a plan to learn self-defense, quickly turned into a lifelong mission to reach the maximum potential not just in himself, but in the lives of literally thousands. Grandmaster Cooley would be the first to humbly admit, he was not coordinated as a kid. In fact, quite the opposite. He was awkward, and believe it or not, even wore corrective orthotics as a child. But his determination to overcome every challenge he faced was greater than any obstacle. Put simply, the word “quit” was never in his vocabulary. This self-described “uncoordinated” kid would go on to achieve incredible accomplishments as a high level taekwondo athlete. Grandmaster Cooley was a two-time US National Champion, US Taekwondo Team Captain, Bronze Medalist in the Goodwill Games, World Taekwondo Championships, Pan Am Games, and even named athlete of the year by the US Olympic Committee. When it was time to retire from sparring, Grandmaster Cooley redirected his competitive spirit towards national and international poomsae (forms) competitions. Alongside his amazing team – Master George, and Grandmasters Turgeon, Southwick and Cottee – he would go on to win the gold many times in the teams, pair, and individual divisions, something he loved doing since 2006. While he was looking forward to the future competing in the next age bracket at 60 (or what he jokingly called the “old guy” division), he was still determined to beat the “young” guys in the 50-59 age group in a couple of months in Salt Lake City. He never stopped giving his best. Even as we approached our empty nester years, he decided to follow in his Mom’s footsteps and get his real estate license. He enjoyed serving his friends and all of his clients as a realtor for five years. No question, his personal achievements and accomplishments were quite incredible. But while sport taekwondo fueled his competitive spirit, Grandmaster Cooley’s real passion – what really drove him – was helping to bring out the best in his students, coaches, and the instructors he was blessed to lead. Taekwondo was the vehicle God gave him to do that. Grandmaster Yoon, who was not just a mentor but also a second father, bestowed the greatest honor to Grandmaster Cooley by trusting him to take over KTA in 1996. And while he was privileged to coach and train so many great athletes and see them achieve success, it was the small ways in which he knew he could make a big impact on his students that brought him the most joy. He would come home so happy sharing stories after “report card checks” when he saw grades go from below average to As and Bs. And how many remember being told, “if you don’t behave at home, you can’t come to taekwondo because that’s not how (insert rank) belts behave!? Then, there were the countless tests where one or more students were struggling to break their boards. He had a way to encouraging you to do it – (or making kids think they were going to kick his hand practicing – and instead he’d quickly put the board in place of his hand – and they’d break! Tears turned into sheer joy, because he never let anyone give up. And, how many parents over the years came to KTA, looking to sign up their kids, then ended up turning taekwondo into an entire family activity? Then, there were adult students who walked into KTA thinking, “I might not be able to physically do this, but I’ll try.” Not only did they earn their black belt, so many went on to advance even further. And of course, how many marriages happened because you met the love of your life at KTA? Ok, I guess I’ll be the first to thankfully raise my hand. 😊 There are just too many amazing stories to list, and yet every single one is why Grandmaster Cooley loved what he did. And when we say he loved KTA… KTA is you. That is why Grant, Jill and I could not be more grateful knowing that the legacy Garth built at KTA will continue thanks to the extraordinary team he’s led for decades. This is an answer to our prayers. Our incredible team of Grandmasters, Masters, and Black Belt instructors stand alongside the Bickels to lead, grow, and mentor the next generation of outstanding students and bring out the very best in every student. Our heartfelt thanks and love to all of you. Finally, as hard as it’s been to put into words the way in which God used Garth’s gifts in all the lives of this remarkable taekwondo community, it’s even harder to sum up what he meant to our friends outside of KTA, and of course our family. Several of you became our close friends because of KTA… Some, he ‘inherited’ through marriage… and many of you because we were blessed to go to the same church or live in the same neighborhood. He loved every one of you. You have been, and continue to be a source of love, support and priceless memories that we treasure. To our Legacy Crew – which started off as the monthly neighborhood euchre group – and Founders - thank you for being our “Framily”. What a blessed 12 years it’s been full of laughs, antics, awesome friendships… ok, and more silly antics. In fact, it was fitting that the night before he passed, Garth came in first place at our euchre tournament and then won our progressive jackpot. He loved our Legacy crew time together – and especially that night when he won what was akin to a gold medal, but in euchre. Indeed he leaves behind an incredible legacy, and it carries on through Grant and Jill. Their lights shined the brightest in his life. When both asked to train in taekwondo, he waited until they had asked about 3 or 4 times. Why? Because he wanted them to both understand that once you make a commitment to get your black belt, you follow through with it. Sound familiar? As so many can relate, there were definitely days neither one wanted to go to class. But, he knew there was a greater life lesson in not giving up, and finishing strong. Grant and Jill ended up exceeding even their own expectations, and chose to keep training after 1st Dan. The special moments of tying on their new black belts after they earned their first and second Dans were definite tear jerkers for both of us. Those were some of the countless incredible memories we shared as a family. We will also cherish our fierce competitions at Wii golf (and Wii everything), Life board games, watching movies (especially Happy Gilmore), enjoying vacations and cruises, or just having family dinners together. Garth would also say teaching the kids how to clean, vacuum and do laundry together were special moments for him…. He called it “Camp Dad”. Garth was the pioneer of Dad jokes, a Star Wars expert, 80s music king, and movie line aficionado. Even at 27 and 23 years old, he could still make all of us laugh with the same movie line he’d quote for the umpteenth time. He loved being in the front row at all the cross country and track meets, musicals, plays, Father-Daughter dances, graduations, Father-Son amusement park trips, or just hanging out together talking. While we assumed he’d be there for Grant’s graduation from law school this May, Jill’s graduation from the School of Social Work next fall, and the vacations we were planning as we got closer to retirement, we are so thankful for the time we had together. We loved him so much. Garth is also deeply missed by his Dad, Ronald Cooley, brother Adam (Dawn), sister Felicia, Uncle John and Aunt Paula, Aunt Toni, Uncle Bob, and so many wonderful cousins JJ (Becky), Tom (Stacy), Tatum (Eric), Adrienne, and more. He was blessed to have another Dad in his life, his father in law, euchre partner, and occasionally euchre coach, who loved him like a son, Richard Jerman (Barb). His sister-in-law Jennifer, brother-in-law Jeff, Uncle Bill and Aunt Joy, Uncle John (Darlene), Aunt Mary Kay (Bill), and cousins Billy, Ben, Rob (Kim), John, Melissa (Chris), Nancy, Anne (Karl) and Amy will also miss him dearly. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. at IMMI, 18880 North East Street, Westfield, IN 46074, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In his memory, we simply ask you continue to live your life giving your best, and never giving up when you set out to achieve your goals. One of Garth’s favorite Bible verses was Romans 8:28. Garth loved the Lord. And he knew the purpose God called on his life. That’s why despite the fact that we feel he left us too soon, we know God’s plan is good, and we find comfort knowing we will be reunited with him someday when we also take our last breath on earth, and our first one in heaven. God Bless you all.

Tributes

Garth Alexander Cooley

June 27, 1967 - March 2, 2025