Funeral Services for Mr. Gary Leon “Coop” Cooper Jr, age 52 of Lincoln, will held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland at 2:00 P.M. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Ashland City Cemetery.
Mr. Cooper passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Birmingham. He was born and lived briefly in Corona, California, but had been a native of Clay County since he was a baby. Mr. Cooper, or “Coop” as he was affectionately known, was a 1990 graduate of Clay County High School, where he proudly served as the SGA and FFA President. He enlisted during his junior year into the U.S. Army, serving his 4 year term during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Mr. Cooper worked for 20 years at Wellborn Cabinet’s as a supervisor, but found his passion on the baseball diamond. He loved being around baseball, and worked as an Umpire for nearly 10 years. His favorite team was the St. Louis Cardinals, and bonded with his Son, Curt, once he began to play. Coop could often be found working out at the local gym, spending time outdoors, or taking his family to the beach, going on hikes or going camping. Some of his children’s favorite memories involved going to High Falls Trailhead just to take a quick shower, spending time in the pool teaching his family how to swim, or making the absolute BEST pancakes and grits. Mr. Cooper loved listening to 80’s music, was known to drive anything with a Stick Shift, and had a knack for Writing personal poems and songs for his family. Coop was a charismatic and adventurous man, but sentimental and loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings. He was social and a people person, but also enjoyed his privacy. He was willing to try anything at least once, and when he took a picture of his family that he liked, he would give them a 8 by 10 picture frame as a gift. Mr. Cooper was a diehard Alabama football fan, and was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and brother.
Mr. Cooper was survived by his wife, BeckyAnn Cooper of Lincoln; his children: Kayla Atchley (Craig) of Wedowee, Ceara Bell (Kelvin) of Birmingham, Curt and Alyssa Cooper, Hayven Winfrey, Tasha Mahaffey (Kevin), all of Lincoln, Amber Loggins (Kevin) of Eastaboga, Gabbie Tant (Tommy) of Lincoln, and Bekah Murphey (Elijah) of Anniston; 9 grandchildren: Evan Atchley, Knox Bell, Emmie Loggins, Landon and Jacob Clapper, Desiree Givens, Peyton Webb, Braden and Braylee Tant; one great-grandchild on the way; his mother, Janie Cooper of Ashland; three sisters: Stacey Brown (Jody) of Ashland, Cindy Lambert (Michael) of Millerville, and Kristy Cooper of Piedmont; brother, Billy Jack Cooper of Talladega; plus a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his father, Gary Leon Cooper Sr; grandson, Kruz Bell; and brother, Jerry Cooper.
Active Pallbearers will be Michael Lambert, Chris Jackson, Luke Jackson, Billy Jack Cooper, Jason Cooper, and Jody Brown.
His visitation will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland from 12:00 P.M. until service time at 2:00 P.M.
