Pamela Mary Cooper

Born on December 13, 1950, in Lynwood, California, to the late Roy and Novella (Thompson) Cooper. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Pam received her formative education in Huntington Park and Downey California. She attended Bach Woodbury University in California where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

Pam started her career in 1974, with Glaser Bros (eventually Core-Mark) where she was hired as a Junior Accountant. She was an ambitious young woman ready to make a mark on the world. She got her start with the company by developing the company’s first ever business plan, impressing management with her ability to fly through a 10-key and quote accurate numbers out of thin air. This started her beginning of ascent through the ranks. She was soon named the Accounting Supervisor, promoted to Tax & AP Supervisor and then to VP Controller where she was tasked with re-establishing the corporate office in Canada. Pam played an integral role in the hiring of over 100 people and went on to lead the company through two public issues on the Canadian Exchange. In 1984, Pam became VP of MIS. She oversaw the existing IT infrastructure but helped design a proprietary computer system that would be the backbone of Core-Mark for decades to come. Pam was promoted to SVP of Finance with oversight of all functions of finance and information technology. In 1986, after deciding to get back to the U.S. Pam stepped into division management taking over as President of Corona, California. The late 80’s brought ownership changes and more transition for Pam as she filled the role of VP Southern Region then Regional Finance Director. In 1991, with the company facing extinction, a select group of employees purchased Core-Mark and set out to make waves and revive the company. Pam was re-assigned to the Las Vegas, Nevada division the day they lost their biggest customer. Pam gathered her team and said, “Not only will we deliver our business plan despite losing our biggest customer, we will beat it!” Beat it she did, earning the respect of her team and the CEO who awarded her the first ever Division President of The Year Award in 1992. This monumental year set off a string of 13 consecutive Plans achieved and 18 of 19 in total. Pam set the standard as a Division President, consistently delivering her Plan, always willing to assist in training her peers and promoting the development of talent. After 8 years in Las Vegas she transitioned to Portland, Oregon for 5 years where she took the division to new heights and continued her string of plan achievements. Pam’s final stop as a Division President was in Kentucky where she took a failing division to the Promised Land and through her six years developed a management team which continues her traditions today. Pam has left her mark at every turn and in 2006 when she was asked to assist with an acquisition (and keep up with her day job as a Division President) she was up to the challenge. In 2006, she played an instrumental role in all six of Core-Mark’s acquisitions and led the ever-challenging conversion process. In 2009, she was once again needed to establish a new branch of Core-Mark focused on training, resources, acquisitions, and conversions. Wasting no time, Pam established the T.R.A.C. Team which was the backbone of acquisitions, customer conversions and the training arm for the divisions. Scott McPherson, SVP of Business Development & Operations was quoted to saying, “Pam’s career could be defined by the many achievements but I believe it will be by the legacy she leaves with Core-Mark. Pam has hired, trained and mentored countless individuals at all levels of the organization that will make the company strong for years to come and continue to display the mark she has left on Core-Mark. You will not outwork or outthink her”. Scott was quoted as saying, “Pam was Customer Centric. She had a will to win like no other and when it came to customer centric, she was!” We can all agree Core-Mark was an extension of her family!

Pam was a woman of integrity with a heart of gold. She was a savvy businesswoman and leader. She pioneered the way for woman within Core-Mark. She had a love for reading, tennis (enjoyed numerous tennis tournaments around the world,) traveling around the world for pleasure in which she visited over 40 countries countless times, numerous safari hunts around the world where she proudly displayed her mounts throughout her home and an avid dog lover. Her pride and joy was her family, who she loved dearly.

Pam is survived by her nephews Lance (Lisa) Crook of Benton, Arkansas, Kyle (Tonya) Crook of Herriman, Utah and niece Denise Crook of Benton, Arkansas. Great nieces and nephews, Leah (Brian) Higginbotham, Charlie Crook, Mitchell (Maria) Crook, Nick (Cassie) Crook, Kalani Ulufale (Arram Price) and Kaila Faifili. Great-Great nieces Addy Higginbotham, Emersyn Higginbotham, Presley, Higginbotham, Sophie Crook, Eleanor Crook and two babies on the way. Cousin/sister Penny (Ernie) Ladner, cousins Don (Donna) McKeehan, Dick (Diane) McKeehan, and Donna (Oscar) Cornejo and special best friend Joanie (late Tom) Testa. Her three furbabies Tommy, Ace and Shani.

Pam is preceded in death by her parents Roy and Novella Cooper, sister Sandra Cooper and niece Lauren Crook.

The family would like to thank Pam’s caretakers at Visiting Angels (Alexis), the caregivers at Mt. Carmel in Benton, Arkansas and her caregivers at Southern Trace in Bryant, Arkansas.

A graveside service for Pamela will be held Friday, October 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 10201 Highway 5 North, Alexander, Arkansas.