Thomas E. Cooney

His Chair is Forever “Full of Cheerios” It is with heavy heart and deep sadness that we announce the death of Thomas Emmett Cooney JD, who passed away quietly, in his sleep, on December 6th at his new home in Charbonneau, Oregon at the age of 84. A generation before Tom was born; the Cooney clan packed their bags to move from Limerick County, Ireland to build a better life for themselves in America. He was a devoted son and brother, loving husband and father. His children remember him as a generous and kind, but strict father who encouraged his them to pursue their goals. He was proud of all that his children have accomplished. Tom is survived by his wife, Janice; his stepson, Eric (Montana); former wife Beverly Cooney (Sherwood) Sons: Jeffrey (Bend), Thomas (Portland), Paul (Beaverton) and Daughter Tracy (Sherwood); Grandchildren: Caelan, Shane, Justine, Christian, Aundrea, Elizabeth, Emmett, Mary and Hannah. Niece Shannon and Nephew Kelly. Tom was born in Portland, Oregon to Ruth and Thomas Michael Cooney on July 16th, 1931. He had one sister Marie. The family grew up in the Eastmoreland neighborhood and never left the area. Tom attended Washington High School in Portland. He graduated from the University of Portland (B.A. Philosophy) and Willamette University (J.D.). After graduation, Tom was admitted to the Oregon bar in 1956. Tom was a veteran in the Air Force. He frequently referred to himself as the “worst soldier ever” and preferred golfing to marching. Tom was named American Board of Trial Lawyers Distinguished Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1996 and received the Multnomah Bar Professionalism Award, 1996. He was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, Member of Multnomah County and American Bar Associations; Oregon State Bar; Diplomate, American Board of Trial Advocates; International Association of Defense Counsel; The Defense Research Institute; Tom was one of the founders of Oregon Association of Defense Counsel. His legal practice areas included insurance defense, focusing primarily on complex litigation involving medical malpractice defense, professional liability, and health law. He served as general counsel to the Oregon Medical Association beginning in 1972. He participated in many thorny medical-legal issues, particularly in areas of professional liability, insurance, and legislation. Tom authored the first Oregon Medical-Legal handbook for physicians, more commonly referred to as the Cheerios Book. Tom was a gregarious man who loved nothing more than to spend time with family, friends and children at barbeques or family get-togethers. He loved coaching kids (whether his own or others) in sports like baseball, football, and basketball. Tom always wanted to open Cooney’s Law Clinic and Auto Repair. His personal passions included golf, jazz, dancing and those great funny hats. He also had a great love for the outdoors which he instilled in all his children though camping adventures and building a cabin along Still Creek in the Mount Hood Forest. It is reported by his children that he read bedtime stories from the Oregon Camping Guide. The Family will be having a celebration of life/Irish Wake in January 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you please send donations to: High Desert Wildlife, a non-profit headed by Tom’s son Jeff, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife. Donations can be made at: www.highdesertwildlife.org Checks may be sent to: High Desert Wildlife 62410 Erickson Rd. Bend, OR 97701. Please make a notation that the donation is in memory of Tom Cooney. Service Information