Ray & I served in the U.S. Navy together.  I first met Ray when I walked onboard USS TIOGA COUNTY (LST-1159)   as a brand new Ensign. Ray was also an Ensign at the time, so we had being "youngsters on board"   as a common thread.  Ray was also a super Supply Officer.  We were alo both "southerners" so we had that in common.  Way;s birthday was 3-days earlier than mine and each year he reminded me he was 1-year younger than I was.  Serving onboard LST's was an interesting assignment   Is was never considered a 
ship assigned to the speedy ships but also considered a LONG SLOW TARGET, yet we deployed overseas......and made all assignments.  WE were assigned to Vietname support...Riverine Support of gunboats there...ran support up and down the Mekong River Delta area.  WE got sprayed with agent orange which  granted us all  disability later.  
Ray & I formed a signing duo....ship ship parties, outings taking Marines to  San Climente Island....etc.   We wrote songs about the Navy & copied the Bettles Hits both with microphones.  It was fun.  We all feel Ray passed way too early..  I will miss him lots.
Art  Carden      U.S. Navy  SWO     Retired  Virginia Beach, VA 

Ray Cooper aka Bubba the Great There is so much to remember about Ray. We remember him saying his game name came from not being able to pronounce "brother" when he was little - but just to say, how apt that name is, he was like an ideal big brother, kind, funny, interesting, and always brightened up your day!! How did we know Ray? He wanted this group to be more than teammates but also friends. He set up an IM group so that we could know each other better and share laughs, memes, pictures and emojis. Boy did he love his emojis! Most of all, to be there for one another to celebrate the good times and comfort one another in tough times. He had such a big heart. And his heart shown through so strongly that we all feel the emptiness of his absence even though we never even got the chance to meet him in person. He succeeded in every aspect. He kept a thorough spreadsheet of us all, he knew everyone's birthdays, when we started on the team, emails, even the chapter we were on when we started! He had already defected from another team with the two sisters to our former team and was so excited when we were planning a mutiny and forming the new team. We loved his song references, even when he drove us crazy with “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart”. We loved his wry sense of humor and how he'd take time to hide bushes everywhere in the game, shared his crazy dad jokes, teased us with song lines, and shared pictures of his home and garden. We loved how meticulously he kept his yard. It looked like a park. He often asked our advice when changing his bedroom décor, his patio or even his facial hair. He often made reference to and laughed about him and his fourteen women. Think he loved being the only guy in a group of crazy women! He had so many admirable qualities, he was truly, Bubba the Great. Last Christmas I gave you my heart and the very next day you gave it away ...... No Ray ....... we carry your heart with us. We carry it in our hearts. You will forever be there. 

When I let my friend Aleeta know that Ray had died she responded that he was such a good, kind person. That triggered a memory of something I hadn't thought about in several years. When I was about ten years old, I had a major speaking part in a pageant at our church. I came down with the flu and missed one of the practice sessions. When I got back to the next practice I learned that my part had been given to the Governor's daughter. I was so upset I took off running toward home, crying all the way. Ray ran after me, consoled me and then walked with me over to Hutchinson's market and bought me a milk shake. What a kind friend at such a young age.

Our prayers and love are with the family and friends of Ray in this season of grief and loss.  Giving thanks that he is celebrating life eternal with Mary and Raiford. 

OBITUARY

Raiford Wilson Cooper Jr.

December 29, 1944 – September 2, 2021

Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Woodlawn Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services