Samuel Cooper

Samuel Cooper of Greeley, Colorado died September 1, 2014 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, surrounded by his beloved family. He was born August 25, 1927 in Clifton, New Jersey to Dutch immigrants Anna and Samuel Cooper, Sr.

He was the eighth child in a family of seven boys and three girls. He spent his childhood in Clifton, New Jersey and later moved to Colorado. He graduated from Eastern Academy, North Haldon, New Jersey and joined the US Marine Corps prior to entering Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he earned his BA degree in education in 1951.

After teaching and coaching for one year at Denver Christian High School, he returned to college to earn his Master’s Degree in Political Science and History from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey where he was mentored by Dr. Irving Kull, a renowned historian who profoundly influenced Samuel’s life. In 1954 Samuel returned to a teaching career for the next 6 years in North Haldon, New Jersey and Denver, Colorado.

In 1960 he began his career with the US government in the Social Security Administration. His entire working life was devoted to public service, first as a Marine, then as a teacher and coach, and as a public administrator for 32 years. He was honored by the Social Security Administration with their highest national award, the Commissioner’s Citation, presented by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Samuel retired in 1992 as a District Manager in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and volunteered for numerous community organizations in Cheyenne and Greeley.

Mr. Cooper married JoAnne K. Heslinga of Oskaloosa, Iowa on August 3, 1951. He enjoyed participating in many activities including hiking in the Colorado mountains, biking, skiing, traveling and playing tennis. He also enjoyed making early American furniture and painting in water color.

The joy of his life was his family. He is survived by JoAnne, his wife of 63 years; two daughters, Ann Lesley Rich and Monica Lynn Abarca; two sons, Bruce David Cooper and Bryan Timothy Cooper; six grandchildren, Andrew Abarca, Alina Abarca, Sergio Abarca, Adam Abarca, Specer Rich and Samuel Rich; numerous nieces and nephews; and four brothers, Jess, Edward, John and Sid.

A public memorial service will be held Friday, September 19th at 12:30 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Greeley, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies or Trinity Episcopal Church.