Richard “Dick” Cooper, age 89, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 3, 2024, peacefully at his home. He was born in Muskegon, Michigan and graduated from Muskegon Heights High School. Dick went on to attend Michigan Technological University, graduating with an engineering degree and then went to George Washington University Law School. He became a patent attorney with the firm of Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt and Litton in Grand Rapids.
He was a member of Ada Christian Reformed Church for sixty plus years. Richard loved playing softball, tennis, polo and golf. He was very talented musically and could play the accordion, harmonica and especially the piano. He also had an amazing voice. Dick grew up and helped pay for school by working on a tree farm near Nunica. This was the love that he carried throughout his life. The woods were his very favorite place to be, and he was still cutting and hauling wood until months before his death. Next to working with the wood, Dick loved to play golf in his later years and in particular with his very good friend, Don Faass. We are very grateful to Anna and Andrea as caretakers of Richards as his health was failing.
His dearly loved wife, Shirley of 61 years preceded him in death. Others who also proceeded him in death were his parents, Andrew and Margaret Cooper; brothers, Chuck (Zelma) Cooper, Bob Cooper; sister, Carol (Bob) Melton; infant sister, Janet Kay Cooper; and sister-in-law, Ruthie Cooper. Dick is survived by his brothers, Jim (Rosemary) Cooper, Tom (Helen) Cooper, and sister-in-law Geri Cooper; his children: Cliff (Julie) Cooper of Seattle, WA; Tim (Kim) Cooper of Ada, MI, Tamara (Jerry) Boon of Rockford, MI; Bobbi (Roger) Schultz of New Era, Ml.; grandchildren, Cameron Cooper, Andy (Karla) Cooper, Brian (Olivia) Cooper, Zachary Rumley, Hunter Karczewski, Katie (Adam) Kokx, Seth (Olivia) Bosch, Chelsey Bosch, Cody (Kim) Schultz, Bobby (Katie) Everett, Brandon (Carrie) Everett. Richard was blessed with 10 great grandchildren.
A celebration service will be held at Ada Christian Reformed Church, 7152 Bradfield SE, Ada, MI, 49301 on Saturday, April 27, at 11:30am, with visitation one hour prior. A luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either of the following: World Orphans, 6020 Erin Park Dr., Ste A, Colorado Springs, CO, 80918 www.worldorphans.org or Mission Aviation Fellowship, 112 Pilatus Ln. Nampa, Idaho 83687, www.maf.org.
3 Responses
Dear Dick Cooper family-I mourn the loss of Dick, however, I celebrate who he was and how he lived. As a friend of Tamara I can attest to how he nurtured friends, work associates and particularly family. He lived life well and while his last days were not what was desired from a health standpoint it is gratifying and comforting to know that he is now in Heaven without carnal man’s ailments. I look forward to being with him in heaven. Praying for God’s protection and blessings upon you.
Sorry for this loss, we didn’t know you long Richard but we loved you.
Condolences Tamara and Jerry
Sorry to hear of your passing, I will miss you