Our hearts are broken ever since our Josh departed this world way too soon on January 12, 2024. Joshua C. Cooper was born in Huntsville, AL on June 27, 1976. He was preceded in death by his father, Chris Cooper, maternal grandparents, Harold and Bobbie Estell, paternal grandparents, Charles and Eugie Cooper, and his beloved dog, Dozer. Josh is survived by his mother, Pamela Estell Cooper; his brother, Nathan Cooper; his sons, Dylan Cooper and Gunnar Cooper; his daughter, Elizabeth Bilbro (Trey) and Josh’s soon to be grandson, Emerson Lee Bilbro; his uncle, Robin Estell (Kay Dye); aunt, Linda Funghi (Franco); aunt, Debbie White; and cousins, Matteo Funghi, Christian Funghi (Teri) and Marco Funghi.
Josh graduated from Brewer High School where he played football. It was also during this time that he discovered his love and talent for music, especially drums. Like their dad before them, he and his brother had music in their blood and went on to play and win many talent shows and formed many bands such as Forty Ounce Midget and Freak Center, that made them well known around Huntsville. Josh then met Sarah and they started a different adventure in the USAF which led them to California and New Mexico where Elizabeth was born. Josh later was deployed to Aviano, Italy and various locations in the Middle East.
In his military travels Josh made countless friends for life. His military friends called him Trip because he certainly was a trip, always larger than life and the life of the party. He always said when his Air Force deployments ended, he couldn’t wait to come back home to Alabama, and that he did. He met his second wife, and they had two beautiful sons, Dylan and Gunnar. Josh’s children were his life. He loved his family more than anything and even had a tattoo that said “Family is Forever”. Our hearts are broken, and we will never be the same, but we must be strong and carry on for him and remember how much he loved all of us and keep his memory alive.
We will have a celebration of life that is worthy of Josh at a later date. We love you Josh, Always and Forever.
