Joe Lewis Cooper

Storyteller extraordinaire Joe Lewis Cooper Sr., 95, died Nov. 19, 2024. He was born Jan. 15, 1929, in Great Plains, Missouri, and was the first son of seven children of Willie Thestle and Vennie Grills.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty Cooper; son, Joe Lewis Cooper Jr.; and four sisters, Joyce Cooper Walker, Ollie Mae Rabjohn (Homer D), Wanda Lucille Butler Steckbauer and Billie Imo Jean Thomas.

He is survived by his daughter, Kelley Cooper (Jeff); stepdaughter, Glennette Davis (Jim); foster son, Paul Urbanus (Marilyn); grandchildren, Nicholas Sumbles, Greer Williams, Mary Grace Rathke and Mike Davis; great-grandchildren, Micah and Cooper Lee; brother, Charles W. Cooper (Pat); and sister, Phyllis Ann Killion.

Joe served in the Navy during the Korean War. After the war, he returned to Arkansas and worked for OTASCO and Frank Lyon Company. He started a successful business, Joe Cooper Heating and Air. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, camping and traveling.

The family would like to thank his caregiver, Cindy Rollins, for her trusted dedication, his caring team at the VA Central Arkansas Health Care System Home Based Primary Care and Arkansas Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Old Philadelphia Cemetery, P.O. Box 1264, Melbourne, AR 72556 or Arkansas Hospice,14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116, or plant a tree in his honor.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at Pinecrest Cemetery, 7401 Arkansas Highway 5 N. in Alexander. Personal stories about Joe are encouraged.