Charles Sherwood Cooper (Charlie) passed away peacefully June 28, 2024, three days after his 102nd birthday. His suffering mercifully is over and he is in a better place. Charlie was a faithful Christian and loved by his family and friends.
He grew up outside of Chatham, Louisiana and was one of 11 siblings raised on a farm under modest conditions. He joined The U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII and served as a radio operator in the Pacific. His squadron was top secret, and involved in decoding Japanese communications. On November 10, 2022 Charlie attended a Veterans Commendation Award Ceremony sponsored by Rep. Pat Fallon (Texas 04) and was one of several honored for their military service. He loved his country and was extremely proud of his service.
On his return from the war he moved to Dallas to work with his brother in his Painting Contractor business before taking a job with Temco Aircraft in Grand Prairie, Texas. He would eventually retire from LTV in the DFW area after a stint working for Long Mile Rubber Company in Mississippi.
Charlie loved bass fishing, singing gospel music, playing Bingo and being with the love of his life, his wife Pat. He loved sharing stories of his life to anybody who would listen and could spend hours telling of his experience in the war. He had an extremely sharp memory right up until the end.
After retirement he and his wife Pat moved to Emory, Texas and attended Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church. Residing at Steamboat Shores, near Lake Fork they became close friends with their neighbors and were like family, always looking out for each other. Charlie loved his church family too and would perform solos on occasion. That was his way of serving and he loved doing it.
Charlie Cooper leaves behind a loving family including daughter Paula Story of Hewitt, Texas and husband David, son Charles Cooper Jr. of Grand Prairie, Texas and wife Nancy, daughter Cathy Harris of Mansfield, Texas and husband Eugene, stepdaughter Carla Black of Noble, Oklahoma and husband Brad, stepsons Lee Fatheree of Emory, Texas and Shane Leslie of Noble, Oklahoma.
Grandchildren include: Shelley Story, Christopher Cooper, Colby Westfall and great grandaughter Willa, Chase Westfall, Bryce Black, Bailey Black, Brandon Leslie, Justin Leslie, Haylee Leslie and Kaylee Leslie. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife Pat Cooper, daughter Sheri Cooper and grandson Grant Story.
Please join us for a celebration of Charlie’s life at 2:00 p.m. on July 20, 2024 at First Baptist Church, 100 Church Street, Yantis, Texas 75497. Service will be conducted by Bro. Steve Couch. Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made in Charlie’s name to Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church in Emory.