GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 8, 2014) –A man who drowned in a Kent County lake over the weekend is being remembered by a neighbor.
On Sunday, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department identified the victim as Charles Cooley, 53.
The incident happened Saturday morning on Chain Lake in Oakfield Twp. Sheriff Deputies said Cooley and his wife fell into the water after some movement in the boat caused it to capsize. His wife made it to safety but Cooley was unable to be saved.
Kim Dewey, Cooley’s neighbor, said her daughter texted her to let her know what happened.
“I was shocked because I knew they went fishing all the time ’cause they really liked to fish,” Dewey said. “My brother-in-law’s been fishing with him before and I was just like,’naw, it can’t be,’ because I just heard him in the backyard yesterday talking to the dog.”
Dewey said she’s lived next door to Cooley and his family for a few years. She said Cooley was a good neighbor who spent a lot of time with his grandchildren.
“He’s always helping the grandkids come home from the school bus and all that and training his dog that they have,” Dewey said. “He’s always been real friendly. I know they count on him for a lot and it’s going to be hard on them but hopefully they’ll make it through.”
Funeral arrangments for Cooley are pending.
