Mark Speed Cooper of Dallas, GA, formerly of Gurnee, IL lost a courageous battle with interstitial lung disease and rheumatoid arthritis on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Mark was born on August 17, 1950 in Michigan City, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara Smyth Cooper and Robert Cooper. Mark attended Indiana University where he was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity. During college he was a member of the Marine Reserve Corps and received an honorable discharge. Mark’s business career spanned 35 years with Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, IL where he was primarily in health care management for domestic and foreign health care systems. He also served on the Board of Managers for a 105-year-old family-owned Louisiana energy firm. Mark was a lifelong golfer and enjoyed participating in activities with Ducks Unlimited.
Mark is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kim, and his daughters, Kelly Chu (Kai) of Acworth, GA and Lane Hepp (Michael) of Antioch, IL. He leaves behind two adored grandchildren, Meredith and Dane Chu. He is also survived by two brothers, Fredrick and Robert and two sisters, Carol and Connie Donations can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the American Lung Association.
