Troy Dean Cooper

December 25, 1934 – June 21, 2014

Funeral Services will held be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at First Baptist Church, DeQuincy, Louisiana.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2014 and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Hixson-Snider Funeral Home in DeQuincy, Louisiana and from 1:00 p.m. to the time of services at First Baptist Church of DeQuincy, Louisiana. Burial will be followed in the Masonic Cemetery in DeQuincy. Pallbearers will be his friends in the Habibi Flivver Unit. Rev. Rob Walls, Pastor of First Baptist Church of DeQuincy will conduct the services.

Troy was born on December 25, 1934 in Dequincy, Louisiana to Herbert and Opal Cooper. Troy graduated from Dequincy High School in 1953 where he was a Drum Major. He graduated from McNeese College in 1958 with a Bachelors Degree. He started a McNeese tradition followed by his daughter, Cherie and his granddaughter, Katie. While at McNeese he was a member of the Rodeo Club, ROTC and a Drum Major for the ROTC Band, a member of the Block and Bridle Club and the Horn and Hoof Club, he was also a member of the Cowboy Marching Band. After graduation from college he entered the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant. He was a career officer and aviator in the U.S. Army and a Vietnam Veteran having served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He earned his wings and flew both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. He had risen to the rank of Major at the time of his retirement from military service. He received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm twice while in the service. He received many other commendations and ribbons. After his retirement from the Military he worked for Roadway Express for many years until his full retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church and served on various committees and especially enjoyed working with the Kitchen Committee. He was a Mason and a member of four lodges, 1861 Pelican Civil War, 279 Dequincy, 126 Madison and 238 Magnolia. He was also a Past Worshipful Master. He was also affiliated with the Shriners being a member of the Habibi Shrine Center. He was a member of Eastern Star and a Past Worthy Patron. He loved flying, sports and he especially loved to travel having done so extensively during his lifetime. More than anything else, he dearly loved his family. We lost him too soon and he will be deeply missed. He is survived by his spouse of 9 years Martha Martin Cooper, DeQuincy, Louisiana; two daughters, Gina Cooper Neumeyer, Crowley, Louisiana and Cherie Cooper Smith, fiancé Steve DeMarb, Madison, Wisconsin; one granddaughter, Kathryn “Katie” Neumeyer Schmaltz, husband Jason Schmaltz, Crowley, Louisiana; two great granddaughters,

Ella Schmaltz, Crowley, Louisiana and Greta Schmaltz, Crowley, Louisiana; his sister-in-law, Lucie Cooper, Ferguson, North Carolina; one step daughter,

Valerie Powell Bourgeois, DeQuincy, Louisiana; one step son, Martin Powell, Lucedale, Mississippi. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Teresa Cooper, David Cooper, Deborah Cooper Brown and Dr. John S. Cooper.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Cooper and Opal Royer Cooper Haley, and his step-father Morris Haley, his two brothers Billy Cooper and Glynn Cooper and his sister-in-law Janette Cooper.

We would also like to thank Leading Health Care of Louisiana and especially his sitters, as well as Harbor Hospice for all their caring and support.