Kenneth Winston Cooper

Kenneth W. Cooper (Ken) was born in Lamar, Colorado to William E. and Robbie (Aydelott) Cooper. He was the youngest of 6 children. They moved to Oregon when he was a very young age (3 months) and he graduated from Myrtle Point High School. His father told him to never try and make a living with his hands so he enlisted in the US Navy on 14 Feb 1940 and retired 1 Aug 1960 as a Chief Petty Officer. He was a World War II veteran seeing action in Okinawa; and was stationed with the Marine Corps at Peleliu, with was the sight of one of the most difficult and costly struggles undertaken during World War II.

Ken married Elizabeth A. Morgan on 12 July 1947 in Longview, Washington. After retiring from the Navy, he was employed in civil service for 17 years, retiring in 1977 from the US Navy Supply Center, Bremerton.

During Ken’s career, he and Elizabeth lived in Billings, Hawaii, and Astoria. They settled in Bremerton in 1958. Ken was an avid hunter and sports fisherman. He single handedly attempted to rid the sound of dogfish, bullheads, and other culls. He was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge 1181 and the National Rifle Association. All things mechanical in nature terrified him and he never once texted tweeted!

Ken remarried on 28 April 1979 to Betty D. Curtis. They remained in Bremerton where he enjoyed tending to his grandchildren, garden, birds, squirrels, and ant farm. After Betty retired, they became very involved in genealogy. They even made many trips to Salt Lake City, Utah for research!

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Betty; son, William J. Cooper of San Antonio, Texas; daughter, Catherine L. Cooper, of Bremerton; stepdaughter, Janet (Mike) Kennedy of Bremerton; one special adopted daughter, Patty Brown of Ellicott City, MD; six granddaughters; one grandson; four great grandsons; two great granddaughters; and one great-great granddaughter. Preceded in death by his stepson John Curtis.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

www.stjude.org