Edward C. Cooper, age 89, of Jackson, passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at Holzer in Jackson under hospice care. He was born June 16, 1932, in Gallipolis, Ohio to the late Stanley and Lucille (Scurlock) Cooper.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sondra Kay (Parkins) Cooper, of Jackson; children: Marty (Jennifer) Cooper, of Fulton, MS, Kathy (Randy) Leary, of Gilbert, SC, and Carla Wayland, of Jackson; grandchildren: Emily Herrmann, Ashley Fouty, McKenzie Cooper, Ryan Cooper, Stephen Ferris, John Ferris, Josh Ferris, Brenton Wayland and Colin Wayland; great grandchildren: Cooper Crowe and Palmer Ferris; and many loving neighbors and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and mother and father-in-law: Ruth and Paul Parkins.
Edward graduated from Centerville High School in 1950, where he was an avid basketball player. He then chose to join the United States Navy, serving in Guam, Hawaii and then on the U.S.S. Nicholas from 1952-1956 during the Korean Conflict. He also toured Japan and Korea. When he got out of the Navy, he married the love of his life, Sondra Kay Parkins, and together they celebrated sixty-four years of marriage this past May. He worked for General Telephone Company “GTE” and retired after 38 years. Many will remember him for coaching little league basketball and baseball. Later in life, he rarely missed, if any, of his grandchildren’s sporting events. He belonged to the Thurman United Methodist Church. He also belonged to the Thurman Grange and the Jackson American Legion.
Calling hours were held on Sunday, September 26, 2021, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson. Funeral services with military honors immediately follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Josh West officiating. Burial is in Centerpoint Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Thurman United Methodist Church, PO Box 2000, Thurman, Ohio 45685. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com. Lewis & Gillum would like to offer the Cooper family our sincerest apologies for the obituary running after the service date.