Thomas Coop Cooper, 72
On the morning of June 26, 2012, Thomas “Coop” Cooper succumbed to a long battle with cancer and peacefully passed away in his sleep, next to his devoted wife, Vicki. Tom was married to his “great lady” for 42 years and their union touched many, many lives.
Born in Cd’A on Jan. 29, 1940, “Coop” leaves behind a vast network of friends and a deep connection to this area that spans over 70 years. He was as comfortable amusing his buddies with a witty joke as he was watching over his many grandchildren.
Athletically gifted, Tom was a standout football player in high school and an excellent slowpitch softball hitter on several nationally competitive teams. He enjoyed fond memories of bowling, fishing, woodworking, and adventures as a member of the original Bud Bunch.
He joined the United States Navy in 1957 and bravely served his country until 1961. The military discipline defined the rest of his working life. Tom never called in sick for even one day during his 17 years at General Instruments and 24 years with Advanced Input Devices.
Tom was preceded in death by the original “Coop,” his father Neil Cooper, his mother Dorothy Osterberg, and his infant brother Neil Jr. He is survived by a large family that will never forget his devotion to our lives and are proud to call him husband, brother, dad, and grandpa.
The loving list includes his faithful wife Vicki, mother of their seven children and grandmother of their 15 grandchildren; sister Judy King (Spokane); brother Rusty Cooper (Portland); children Brock Taylor (Darcia), children Sloan and Stella, Nevada; Darren Taylor (Jennifer), children Jesse and Dani, Hayden; Jayna Mills (Cully), children Allen and Rayna, Coeur d’Alene; Cindy Martin (Greg), children Brianna and Joey, Coeur d’Alene; Candace Adams (Steve), children Chucky, Rocky, and Wesley, Coeur d’Alene; Tammy Murphy (Matt), children Justin and Alexis, Massachusetts; Wendy George (Greg), children Grayson and Cooper – the current “Coop,” Coeur d’Alene.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, July 1, 2012, at 4 p.m. at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 North Fourth Street, Coeur d’Alene, with a potluck remembrance-of-life to follow at the Eagles on Sherman Avenue.