Charles Fred Cooper IV

Charles Fred Cooper IV of Bartlett, Tennessee, passed away August 21st, 2023, at the age of 75. Charles was born March 10, 1948, in Fulton, Kentucky, to Charles Fred III & Carrie Nell Cooper. The family moved to Whitehaven, Tennessee, when he was a child. He graduated from Whitehaven High School in 1966, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Memphis State University in 1973. Early in his construction career he worked as an independent contractor installing acoustical ceilings throughout the mid-south region. Later he made a transition to an office working for Bill Kaiser selling construction supplies and equipment, further improving his knowledge of construction. He continued to work his way up in the field to become a chief construction estimator and project manager employed by a couple of different construction companies over the course of his illustrious career. At the time of his death, he was employed by Artizan Constructors. He joined the Memphis chapter of Construction Specification Institute (CSI) in 1986, and was a member until his passing. He served in multiple offices during his time with CSI, ultimately serving as president of the chapter from 1991 to 1993. He received the Donald W. Manley Award in 2015, the highest honor a member can receive in the Memphis chapter.

Charles had a passion for sports. He was a coach for the soccer teams of Messiah Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. He never planned to be a coach but volunteered for his son Chris’ first ever soccer practice and his love for the games of soccer and baseball took off from there. He found tremendous joy in coaching these young athletes, especially Chris. To this day, those who he coached still have fond memories of their time under Coach Cooper. In 1986 he coached a soccer team that won the Tennessee recreational league state championship. When he wasn’t coaching, Charles was an avid golfer, bowler, and softball player. His biggest heartbreak came when he bowled his highest score, a 299, missing one pin on his very last throw. During his free time, you could find Charles in his recliner with his sidekick Boots the cat napping in his lap binge-watching Law & Order. In the evening, you would always find him reading a mystery novel from one of his favorite authors, such as James Patterson or Michael Crichton. He also loved cooking out on his grill and taking immaculate care of the grass and plants around his home.

Charles married the love of his life, Charlotte, in 1988. He always said that he knew from the minute he saw her that she was the one for him. Upon his marriage to Charlotte, he became the stepfather to an 18-year-old daughter named Richell, who he loved as his own. Charles, affectionately known as Pappy, found his greatest joy in spending time with his four grandchildren. As often as possible he attended their sporting events or recitals and always cherished hosting sleepovers. Pappy’s love for his grandchildren was best expressed not only in the things he did, but in the life lessons that he imparted to them. He always let his family know how proud he was of them.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Fred & Carrie Cooper; brother, Jimmy Cooper; and sister, Sarah Dodson. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Cooper; son, Chris Cooper (Katrina); stepdaughter, Richell Martin (David); granddaughters, Sophia and Finley Cooper; grandsons, Benjamin and Samuel Martin; and sister, Martha Flynn.

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