John Edward Cooper, Sr.

Born April 10, 1927, he was the son of the late Walter and Laura Lee (Stump) Cooper.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Jane Cooper on August 23, 2005; granddaughter, Kimberly Bevan; four brothers, Charles Cooper, Bill Cooper, Luther Cooper, Holly Cooper; two sisters, Dora Cooper, Elizabeth Cooper, and a special brother-in-law, Fred “Corky” Nunz.

John proudly served his country in the Navy Sea Bees during World War II and was a faithful member of Stuarts Draft Baptist Church.

John worked for Wilson Trucking Company for over 30 years before his retirement in 1992.

Survivors include two sons, John Edward Cooper, Jr. and wife Sandra, Jeffery Scott Cooper, and wife Penny; four daughters, Linda Cooper Thorpe and husband Phillip, Sharon Cooper, Sheila Cooper, Cynthia Cooper Wagner, and husband Eric; one brother, Robert Cooper; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and one great- great grandchild. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, friends, and his church family at Stuarts Draft Baptist church.

He also leaves behind his loving friend and spiritual partner of 15 years, Sue Haberlein.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at the Stuarts Draft Baptist Church with Pastor Billy Coffey and Dr. Michael Curry officiating. Burial will follow in Augusta Memorial Park with military rites.

Active pallbearers will be Eric Wagner, Steve Corbin, Seth Kirby, Cody Rowzie, Kevin Sexton, and Jim Vassar.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dakota Burley, Ethan Smith, Cole Rowzie, Steve Barrett, Christopher Bevan, Matthew Bevan, Jonathan Bevan, and Brig. Gen. (ret.) Phillip Thorpe.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 618 W. Main St. Waynesboro, Va.

Memorial contributions may be made to Stuarts Draft Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1054 Stuarts Draft, Va. 24477 or Augusta Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1000 Fishersville, Va. 22939.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting

www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.