Obituary for Richard Franklin Cooper
Richard Franklin Cooper, 86, went home to be the Jesus on January 2, 2023, after a long illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David H. Cooper and Juanita Johnson Cooper, and siblings, Pearline Cooper, Loretta Green, Barbara Coley, Della Walker, and James Cooper, as well as his beloved in-laws, Jack and Irene Linville.
He is survived by his adoring wife of 65 years, Freda Linville Cooper, his daughters, Deborah Hoblitzell (Rok), Terry Pack (George), and son, Darrin Cooper (Tara), his grandchildren, Natalie Hoblitzell, Jordan Pack, Haylie (Justin) Pack, Logan Cooper, Jared Ford, Haley Ford, and Hannah (Kyle) Estep, great grandchildren, Harper Mae, Ellianna, and Ryland, and his siblings, David H. Cooper of Scott Depot, Wanda Stanley of MI, Shirley Snodgrass of Belle, and Brenda Good of Charleston.
Richard was born in Laing, WV, the second of 10 children, on October 13, 1936, and was a 58 year resident of Chesapeake, WV. He was an East Bank High School Pioneer, class of 1953; he went on to work for Union Carbide where he retired in 1991 after 35 years of service as a supervisor of the Carbide Construction Department. He also reminisced often about fond memories as a Construction Educator in Marietta, OH, Brownsville, TX, and Puerto Rico.
Richard's greatest love in life was his family and anything that involved spending time with them, including summer vacations at his favorite place, the beach. He loved country music, and was his musical wife and son’s greatest fan. Together, they shared their love of singing, playing and traveling throughout WV with the Mountain Gold Band, watching the Grand Ole Opry, and visiting Nashville. Also among his loves were dancing with Freda, his daughters, and granddaughters; not long ago, catching everyone off guard, he broke out in dance moves to Bruno Mars! He played guitar, sang occasionally, and even sang with his wife at home and while driving. He loved the voices of Merle Haggard and Ray Price, and treasured the singing of his grandchildren and son. He was also an avid football fan, cheering the most for his favorite team: WVU.
To his family, he was a legend; a father by whom all fathers should be measured. We will aim to be more like him in his gentleness, his kind spirit, and love for everyone he knew; his imprint on our hearts will live on. We will be forever grateful that he was the best husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
Dad, because of you, we are made better.
Service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Living Faith Church, Marmet with Pastor Frank Thomas officiating. Visitation is from 11:00 am -1:00 pm also at the Church. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Dawes Mountain. Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet is handling the arrangements.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David H. Cooper and Juanita Johnson Cooper, and siblings, Pearline Cooper, Loretta Green, Barbara Coley, Della Walker, and James Cooper, as well as his beloved in-laws, Jack and Irene Linville.
He is survived by his adoring wife of 65 years, Freda Linville Cooper, his daughters, Deborah Hoblitzell (Rok), Terry Pack (George), and son, Darrin Cooper (Tara), his grandchildren, Natalie Hoblitzell, Jordan Pack, Haylie (Justin) Pack, Logan Cooper, Jared Ford, Haley Ford, and Hannah (Kyle) Estep, great grandchildren, Harper Mae, Ellianna, and Ryland, and his siblings, David H. Cooper of Scott Depot, Wanda Stanley of MI, Shirley Snodgrass of Belle, and Brenda Good of Charleston.
Richard was born in Laing, WV, the second of 10 children, on October 13, 1936, and was a 58 year resident of Chesapeake, WV. He was an East Bank High School Pioneer, class of 1953; he went on to work for Union Carbide where he retired in 1991 after 35 years of service as a supervisor of the Carbide Construction Department. He also reminisced often about fond memories as a Construction Educator in Marietta, OH, Brownsville, TX, and Puerto Rico.
Richard's greatest love in life was his family and anything that involved spending time with them, including summer vacations at his favorite place, the beach. He loved country music, and was his musical wife and son’s greatest fan. Together, they shared their love of singing, playing and traveling throughout WV with the Mountain Gold Band, watching the Grand Ole Opry, and visiting Nashville. Also among his loves were dancing with Freda, his daughters, and granddaughters; not long ago, catching everyone off guard, he broke out in dance moves to Bruno Mars! He played guitar, sang occasionally, and even sang with his wife at home and while driving. He loved the voices of Merle Haggard and Ray Price, and treasured the singing of his grandchildren and son. He was also an avid football fan, cheering the most for his favorite team: WVU.
To his family, he was a legend; a father by whom all fathers should be measured. We will aim to be more like him in his gentleness, his kind spirit, and love for everyone he knew; his imprint on our hearts will live on. We will be forever grateful that he was the best husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
Dad, because of you, we are made better.
Service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Living Faith Church, Marmet with Pastor Frank Thomas officiating. Visitation is from 11:00 am -1:00 pm also at the Church. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Dawes Mountain. Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet is handling the arrangements.