Norval was born on February 28, 1933 to the late Margaret Moreland Cooper Clark and Norval F. Cooper, Sr. in York, PA. He graduated from Annapolis Senior High School in 1951 and married Eleanor Cooper in 1954. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 on the U.S.S. Ware. He often talked about his travels with the Navy and remembered his years in the service fondly.
He was most proud, however, of the 25 years he served as a state trooper with the Maryland State Police. In the Executive Security Division, he rose through the ranks to Captain, taking control of the division and providing protection to multiple state governors. He loved talking “police work” and sharing stories from that time. Norval was active throughout his life; he enjoyed bowling, golfing, and the simple pleasure of a long walk. He was a movie buff and a John Wayne fan, a lover of music and a possessor of top-notch dance moves. Although often serious, he had a smile that could light up a room, most often seen when he was surrounded by his family.
Norval is survived by his five children: Theresa (John) Kaufman, Karen (Dale) Thompson, Norval F. Cooper III, Donna (George) Askew, and Kevin Cooper; ten grandchildren: Liza (Jamal) and Jaci Hollidayoke, Joshua, Katie, and Matthew Thompson, Sean and Trevor (Jenny) Cooper, Megan (Steven), Tyler (Lauren), and Erik (Lauren) Askew; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister: Virginia Clark Blondeau.
Norval will be fondly remembered as a man who talked low, talked slow and didn’t say too much; as a man who always had the courage to saddle up anyway. He will be so dearly missed.
Services will be held on August 25th at 10 am at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd, Crownsville, MD, 21032. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you please consider contributions in Norval’s memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org.
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