Gary Lee Cooper was born on January 4, 1948 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Iris and Harold Cooper. He peacefully passed away on October 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Gary grew up in Duncan in a loving family including his two older doting sisters Carol and Brenda. He married Angela Baker in 1967 and they shared many adventures as a young couple, including living in Vail, Colorado. During their time together, Gary’s two children Jeff and Leigh were born. Later in life, he married Anita White in 1989 and was blessed with two more sons, Bryan and Daniel.
He attended Duncan High School where he excelled in sports and developed his love for music. He was a talented drummer in his younger years and an air guitar player and dashboard drummer to the end.
He attended the University of Oklahoma before beginning his career path which included retail, the restaurant and bar business and ultimately the oil and gas business.
Developing friendships was Gary’s true calling. He never met a stranger, was loved by all who knew him and cherished his friendships. His friends from every life stage became family.
Starting in the 1960s, he was introduced to Lake Texoma, a place where he became a legend and shared his happiest of times with his parents, family and friends. Over the years he developed a love for all things nautical eventually obtaining his Captain’s License. Gary spent countless hours on the waters of the British Virgin Islands and The Bahamas with his family and “lake family.” He had a true passion for boats and took pride in teaching others to drive and navigate, something he loved passing on to his son Jeff and grandkids.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Iris Cooper. He is survived by his son Jeff Cooper, wife Lynn and their children Kaleigh and Carson of Edmond; daughter Leigh Cooper Wheatley, husband Russ and their children Alexandra and Molly of Chagrin Falls, OH; son Bryan White, wife Erika and their children Justin and Jackson of Nashville, TN; son Daniel White, wife Lindsay and their children Nolan and Parker of Nashville, TN; sister Carol Eldridge of Midland, TX; sister Brenda Benson and her husband Denney of Norman, OK; mother-in-law Joanne Baker of Norman, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family that he adored.
Gary was laid to rest in a private family burial on October 13, 2018. A Memorial Service celebrating his life and legacy will be held under the direction of Hahn-Cook/ Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Friday October 26, 2018 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel at Crossings Community Church, 14600 Portland Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73134.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the charity of your choice or to: Youth With A Mission - Costa Rica, Homes of Hope , PO Box 603, Bentonville, AR 73712; http://ywamsj.formstack.com/forms/hoh_donation.
