Charles Clark Cooper

COOPER, Charles Clark, 92, of Henrico County, passed away Monday, June 11, 2012 surrounded by his loving family, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He was a native of Bluefield, Virginia. Charlie attended the University of Virginia where he was an outstanding football player. He was voted a team captain for his junior year, but left school after his sophomore year to join the Marines after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was wounded in the battle of Iwo Jima for which he received a Purple Heart. He was unable to play football again due to his injury, so he began his long and successful coaching career. After graduating from the University of Virginia, he taught and coached in Chase City, Bluefield, and Marion, Va. before coming to Richmond to teach, coach and serve as athletic director at Thomas Jefferson High School, until his retirement in 1985. After retiring, he enjoyed carving ducks, going to the YMCA, volunteering at the Virginia Home, and gardening. He was preceded in death by his parents, A. O. and Mary Brown Cooper; his sister, Helen Honaker (Jim) and his first wife, Peggy Allen Cooper. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Marian P. Cooper; his children, Christy Bull, Clark Cooper (Ellen), Tom Cooper (Joan); his step children, Bill Finch (Gail), Diane Maxey (Alan); his grandchildren, Anne, Ben, Kira, Sara, Matt, Jill, and Ashley; his step grandchildren, Cam, Chase, and Nichole; two great-grandchildren, Alex and Carolyn; also his niece, Mary Clark Cassidy (Sam). The Family would like to thank Bon Secours and caregivers, Rose Thomas, Cathy Morris and John Mukuria for their loving care and dedicated service. A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 17, 2012 at the Parham Chapel Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd. Interment Greenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad, 1101 Horsepen Rd., Henrico, Va. 23229, the Tuckahoe Family YMCA, 9211 Patterson Ave., Richmond, Va. 23229 or Bon Secours Hospice, 8580 Magellan Pkwy., Richmond, Va. 23227. Condolences may be made at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com