Charles Robert Cooper

Bob was born in 1939 in West Point, Georgia to Charles Virgil Cooper and Alice May Brown. He graduated from West Point High School in 1957 and joined the U. S. Navy serving for 24 years & retiring in 1982 as a Chief Petty Officer. He was employed by Guardian Life Insurance Agency while attending college at night to earn his BA degree with honors in Business Administration. After graduation he worked for the State of Florida for eighteen years retiring in 2006.

Bob became a Master Mason in May 1965. After retirement he actively served in many Masonic capacities: Worshipful Master of Arlington Lodge (2009), District Deputy Grand Master (2012), Worshipful Master of Lewis A. Armistead Lodge (2020), Scottish Rite 33rd degree Mason (2015), York Rite Excellent High Priest of Jax 12 (2007), Most Excellent Grand High Priest (2016), Illustrious Master of Hallmark Council #3(2008), Eminent Commander of Damascus Commandery (2005), and in the St. Augustine Commandery (2017).

He served in many other York Rite Affiliations and served as President of National Sojourners and Heroes of 76 in 2007-08. He was a member of the Morocco Shrine, the Ozz Grotto and a member of the Order of Quetzalcoatl.

He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers. He is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Clare Cooper, his sons Charles Alan Cooper (Cathi) and Donald Eugene Cooper of Jacksonville, Florida and Glenn Adwell (Cathrine) of Clarksville, Tennessee, and two daughters, Catherine Elizabeth Cooper and Tracey Marie Cooper. He is survived by his brother David Eugene Cooper (Diane), grandchildren Daniel Cooper (Jessica), Elizabeth Cooper, Zachary Cooper (Shannon), Rachael Chancey (Stephen), Heather Mixon (Jason), Carrie Naff (Chris), Ashley Cooper, Richard Cooper (Francesca), as well as six (6) great grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Bob and Clare became members of Fort Caroline United Methodist Church in 1982. He was involved in the church choir and many committees of the church before being disabled.

A visitation for Charles will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225.

A Celebration of his life will occur on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at York Rite Masonic Bodies, 1237 McDuff Avenue South, Jacksonville, FL 32205.

A committal ceremony will follow the Celebration of Life on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com for the Cooper family.