Glen Ray Cooper

Glen R. Cooper (93) peacefully passed away Thursday December 7, 2023 with his daughter and granddaughter by his side. He was born on February 22, 1930, in Cooper, New Mexico. The town of Cooper, no longer on the map, just outside Jal, NM, was named for his great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents Johnnie Lee and Violet Cooper, his wife of 67 years, Alvera Cooper (d.2015), his brothers Robert L. and Bert, and sisters Betty and Corena. He is survived by and will be deeply missed by son Larry (Asaho) of Niigata, Japan (grandson James (Alison) (great-grandchildren Mina and Joji), grandson Alexander); son Richard (Nancy) of Akron, OH (grandson Eric (Jennifer) (great-grandaughter Ariel Wilson-Cooper (great-great-grandaughter Lorelai,) and great-granddaughter Lily) granddaughter Leah Cooper (great-grandsons Joseph and Isaiah); daughter Vivian (Dave) of Tallmadge, OH (grandson Bradley (Celeste) (great-grandson David Glen) granddaughter Lindsey (great-granddaughter Brooke), granddaughter Ashley Wagner, and Glen's youngest brother Charles of Cleveland, Tennessee.

Glen married the love of his life Alvera on May 23 1948. They met at Chestnut Ridge Dairy in Ellet while she was working there. They had celebrated 67 years of marriage when she passed in 2015. Rare was a time that you did not see them holding hands, and he always opened the car door for her, especially since she never learned to drive. Together they loved their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and spent their lives being the most loving and hardworking example to them that any family could wish for.

His favorite memories were growing up on his family's land in New Mexico. Even after his family moved here in 1944 he hitchhiked back in the summers to work on his Uncle Clyde's ranch. We are privileged to have letters that his Aunt wrote to his mother in Ohio about how hard he worked helping her treat cattle for pink eye. The stories of his youth were ones of hard work and determination. That is exactly how he lived his whole life.

Glen worked many jobs, telegraph delivery boy in downtown Akron, grocery stores, newspaper delivery, door to door sales where he won awards, and a full career working as Facility Services Manager for Babcock and Wilcox in Barberton, and North Canton, OH. While working at B&W he took classes at Hiram College, still looking to further his education and life experience. After retiring from B&W, he went back to work as an independent bookkeeper for a number of small businesses. He also acquired his Real Estate license and Insurance License. He continued to work until he took full time loving care of Alvera during her last years.

Glen liked to take car trips with his wife, spend time with his family, and to keep up on current events. He was one of the first people to own a home computer, had a fascination with magnets, inventions, politics, and off and on with Cleveland sports. He always liked sharing his interests with his grand and great-grandchildren, or simply sharing a fun game of pool with them on the iPad in recent years. He was always encouraging people to have a good attitude. He was always thankful that he and his family had been very blessed in life.

He loved his family with all his heart, they meant everything to him. He was so proud of everyone's accomplishments and loved to tell people about his family.

Our hearts are broken, but we will forever be blessed to have had him in our lives for all of these years. Family will have a private service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite educational institution or non-profit, for Glen thought an education was extremely important.

A private committal will be held for his family at Hillside Memorial Park, where he will be laid to rest with Alvera. To leave a message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.