Norman Varnell Cooper

Norman V. Cooper passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026 at the age of 86. He was born in Trade, Alabama to Young Virgil Cooper and Era Agnes Murphree. After graduating from Meek High School in Arley, Alabama, he joined the United States Marine Corps, completing his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, attaining the rank of sergeant, and served as a rifleman and sharpshooter, with special training in land mine demolition and cold weather indoctrination.

Following his time in service, he attended and graduated from Florence State College (now the University of North Alabama), receiving degrees in both math and history. During this time, he also served as a staff sergeant in the Alabama National Guard 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne). After a stint working at NASA in Huntsville, Alabama, he completed a PhD in History at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and published the book, A Fighting General: Biography of General Holland M. "Howlin Mad" Smith, which was included on the Marine Corps Commandant's Professional Reading List.

Norman married Jane Marie McCain of Crane Hill, Alabama in 1966, and had two daughters. Together they moved to Germany, where he spent 20+ years working for the United States Department of the Army as a civilian in the Office of Personnel Management. During these wonderful years overseas, he and Jane were able to travel extensively throughout Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia. He loved hosting family and friends and taking them on guided trips throughout the region. He especially enjoyed visiting historical sites from WWI and WWII, and eventually began working in partnership with a travel group as an expert tour guide in Normandy, France.

Following Jane's death in 2004, Norman officially retired to Birmingham, Alabama, but continued to travel the United States and beyond with friends and family. He loved spending time out west visiting the National Parks with his childhood friends, and attending annual reunions with his USMC recruit training battalion. Lovingly known as “Opa”, he was also enormously proud of his grandchildren and took every opportunity to spend time with them, including passing on his love of reading and history. Norman was blessed with a kind nature, a remarkable mind, and an incredible sense of humor. His warmth, wisdom, and laughter left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He will be missed beyond measure.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jane, and his brother, Ferrell Cooper. Survivors include his two daughters, Catherine Suzanne Dillon of Birmingham, Alabama, and Andrea Neal (James) of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Devin Thorne (Yumin) of Washington, DC, Callaway Dillon and Lucas Dillon, both of Birmingham, Alabama; sisters, Gayle Cooper of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Frances Cooper of Cullman, Alabama; niece Nancy Thibodeaux of Chicago, IL; nephew Eddie Cooper; and grandnieces Hayley Cooper, Amalia Thibodeaux, and Reza Thibodeaux.

A funeral service with military honors will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Moss Funeral Home in Cullman, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM. Family and friends are welcome to join us as we celebrate his life and honor his memory. Those wishing to honor Norman's memory from afar are invited to make a donation to their local public library in tribute to his lifelong love of books, learning, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Moss Service Funeral Home is directing.