RALEIGH, NC – Long-time basketball coach and athletic director in Wake County, Dexter Cooley, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Cooley served as basketball coach at Bunn in Franklin County then Millbrook in Raleigh, Cooley moved to Wakefield when it opened in 2000. While at Wakefield he served as basketball coach and athletic director before his retirement in 2015. 

Cooley was instrumental in building the Wakefield athletics program, which notably won a pair of men’s basketball state championships during his time as athletics director. A few weeks ago, Wakefield High School dedicated the entire athletics facility in his honor. Just before his retirement in 2015, Cooley was chosen as a recipient of the prestigious Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award. 

Funeral arrangements have not been finalized at this time, but this post will be updated when the information becomes available.