ForeverMissed
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His Life
February 11, 2013

Edward Earl “Earl” Cooper died Saturday, February 2nd, 2013, in Eugene, Oregon, at the age of eighty-eight. He was a long-time resident of Junction City, Oregon.

Earl was born to J.E. and Dovie Cooper in Palo Pinto County, Texas, on February 21st, 1924, the second child and eldest son. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School, Mt. Vernon, Texas, in 1943 and worked at the Red River Army Ordnance from December, 1943 through September, 1945.

Leaving Texas to visit cousins in Oregon, he arrived in Junction City on September 19th, 1945, and found work at the local Chevrolet dealership. He met Dorothy Hicks, a local girl, and they married on October 6th, 1946. They settled in Junction City, where they became active members of the First Christian Church.

In 1947 Earl started an electrical apprenticeship that evolved into his work as a journeyman and then supervisor of the electrical crew at four Eugene area Georgia-Pacific mills. During that time he trained many apprentices himself, which resulted in his induction in 1990 as one of the first members of the Oregon State Apprenticeship Hall of Fame.

Earl is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Dorothy; son David (Carla); daughter Karen; grandson Travis (Geri) Cooper; granddaughter Carrie (Kristopher) Judy; and great-grandchildren Owen Cooper, Max Cooper, Caralynn Judy, Lauren Judy and Henry Judy. He leaves behind his older sister, Letha Cooper of Winnsboro, Texas, and his youngest sister, Bernice Kilgore of Mansfield, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Brothers Glen, Paul and Max, and sister Ernestine preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Christian Church, Junction City, or the American Cancer Society.