Hi Mrs. Cooper, I don't know if you remember me, but, I met you at Glencoe the day of Mr. Cooper's exhibit. I'm so sorry about Mr. Cooper. I will never, ever forget the day he and I first met. I will always cherish the day when I told you thank you for letting me have your husband(SMILE). He esorted me out the door while everyone was still inside looking at the exhibit. He wanted to show me the picture of his mother. I was the one that he told you that he hoped I would be coming. Would have not missed it for the world. I pray that God will comfort you. I really,really enjoyed him and meeting you. I just found out today that he had passed. Again, I will always cherish in my heart the joy of meeting him before God decided to take his child home. Love, Sarah Carter

Tribute to My Father â€“ Randy Cooper  1927 - 2010

A depression era, barefoot schoolboy from Southwest Virginia, my father went on to forge a legacy that will continue to touch the lives of everyone in this beautiful cathedral and beyond. 

So who was this great man? I can only offer you my perspective â€“ some of which will be surprising and some very familiar.

He knew when to sit me down but he always stood up for me and he did the same with my boys.

He was a soldier and a peacemaker; a leader and a lieutenant.

He was an architect and a builder; a coach and an athlete: he loved golf and occasionally it loved him back. He shot his share of birdies on the course, especially when there was slow play ahead of him.

He was a writer and an artist of deeply personal inspiration.

He was a chef and a connoisseur. 

He was quick with a joke and deliberate with a punch-line.

He was a smoker before the health consequences were understood and he was quite happy to learn of the benefits of red wine, but he was never a prisoner of the vice of advice.
He could impart wisdom without condescension. He could listen without preconception. He gave freely of his most valuable commodity â€“ his time, and we have all been fortunate to be blessed with so much of it.

He handled his successes and failures with equal aplomb and appropriate weight.

His only agenda was the happiness of his family.

He was made whole by his beautiful and loving wife of 58 years â€“ their inspirational love was always palpable and serves as a model for what I can only hope for for my children.

He was my mentor and my best friend. 

He was an inventor and a dreamer that passed peacefully in the midst of a dream.

I invite you now to bow your heads and ask God to welcome him and to grant those of us he left behind so suddenly the strength to remember him often and without sadness but instead with a joyous heart.

In recent years, at times I've considered what I would say about dad if I ever lost him. Just imagining it would quickly bring tears to my eyes, so I've always chased away my thoughts, believing I wouldn't need to know what to say for a long, long time. Then, way before I was ready, and with an aching heart, I was asked to figure it out, by the love of my dad's life, my mother, Sally.
My first thought was that I'd speak about my happy memories of dad when I was a little girl.  I'd talk about how dad would always tuck me in bed and talk to me the night before the first day of school each year, reassuring his shy little girl that everything would be all right -- I'd see all my friends again, love my new teachers and forget all about my nervousness before time for lunch.
I imagined that I'd talk about how dad would drive me to school on rainy mornings so i wouldn't have to walk, to my piano lessons twice a week, and to my first part time job after school when I was a teenager. About how he'd write me letters when in was in college, telling me that he missed me and loved me.
I'd talk about how, on saturday mornings, dad would make literal mountains of pancakes -- they were better described as pancake pyramids, each one smaller than the one before. About how he'd cook almost all our family meals, including the best thanksgiving dinners in the world.
And of course I'd talk about dad's quirky and wonderful sense of humor -- mom always referred to it as just strange -- and how, each April Fools Day, he'd succeed in pulling a prank on me, sometimes not till after I'd had plenty of time to remember what day it was. And how, that day and every day, he'd always make me laugh.
But now that this day has come, i need to talk not just about those memories, but about the kind of man my father was, and the legacy he left me.
We were an emotional family, and Dad was a sensitive guy. He was creative, optimistic, always positive, and grateful for each new day. He loved drawing and painting, and of course, playing golf as often as  possible, but what was most important in his life was his wife and family -- his relationships. Over the years, I saw him and my mom experience a lot of joy, but I also saw them go through some very tough times together, some of them extremely difficult. But no matter what their challenges, trials or sadness, nothing was more important to them than each other.  He always told me, "Things have a way of working out."
He and my mother loved each other passionately and unconditionally, for a lifetime, as friends, companions and lovers. I know that the best gift a father can give his child is to love his wife. Watching mom and dad together, day after day, I hoped to find that one special person who loved me the same way dad loved mom, and Thank God, I did. My parents' marriage has always been the model for me and Dennis through the years.

My father served others, and I could always count on him. He showed me what love is. That was his gift to me.

I was sadden to hear of our great uncle Randy's passing such a wonderful man. Many fond thoughts remain of him and his family, I love you all.

I give my deepest condolences to the Cooper family.

Dear Sally, I can never thank you and Randy enough for becoming mom's "shepherds." You have truly been her lifeline, in so many ways.  I hold dear the memory of Randy driving us "chicks" to Eddie's Attic, to hear Clay in concert.  I remember the graciousness of you both, as you insisted that you LOVED hearing young stars of the future.  You also insisted that we sit at stage-front, drink wine, whistle, and applaud loudly!  We Wisdom's have always thought of you and Randy as mom's "YOUNG" friends... and honestly, I've never known any couple more YOUNG AT HEART than you two. 
You will grieve this tremendous loss, and we will all grieve with you.  But, it makes me smile to think of what a sweet reunion the two of you will have in heaven one day.  Meanwhile, Randy's legacy of sweet, warm memories will bring laughter and tears.  I pray for our Heavenly Shepherd to hold you close and keep you in His care.
Much love in Christ,
Lynne (Wisdom) Johnston

Many years ago, when my wife and I were young, Randy helped us understand some important concepts that greatly improved our financial well being.  He was kind and generous with his time.  We are sad to learn of his passing.  It was not until today that I learned of his artistic interests and saw some of his work.  He was a gentleman.

Randy was a lovely gentleman. We were so sorry to hear of his sudden and untimely death. We are thinking and praying for your family.
All our love, Emmanuel and Suzanne Dowdall. (Dublin, Ireland)

I love you , Uncle Randy. As a little girl, I remember being at your home for Thanksgiving the most. I was always in such awe of your paintings. God bless the Cooper family - you are in our prayers. I am sorry I can't be there. I love you, Aunt Sally. Love, Rebecca & Marshall Frasier & family

OBITUARY

Joseph Randolph Cooper

12 February, 1927 – 31 October, 2010

H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel

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