Al Cooper

Alva Kenneth Cooper, distinguished Air Force Veteran, was called home Friday, June 28th, 2024, in Oklahoma City. Al was born May 10, 1943, graduated from Wayne High School in 1961, and joined the United States Air Force, embarking on a decades long career where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant as a non-commissioned officer.

Al excelled in his mechanical abilities, and quickly became proficient in Missile Systems Technology, where he spent the better part of his career on the front line defenses of our country during the cold war, keeping the hundreds of ICBM silos scattered across North America functioning and at the ready. He also served as a Bomb-Navigation Systems Specialist on the venerable B-52 Stratofortress during its early years of deployment with the Air Force. Over the course of his career, Al was awarded several decorations, including Air Force Outstanding Unit, Air Force Longevity Service, National Defense Service, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Al retired from the Air Force in July 1982, after 20 years of exemplary service.

Al’s love of country and his appreciation for marksmanship made him the perfect candidate for a lifelong affiliation with the National Rifleman’s Association, and Al became an avid collector of weaponry, not the least of which was his Smith & Wesson M&P .45ACP, which he proudly carried wherever he went, whether it was his daily breakfasts at Cattlemen’s Cafe or holding court on his driveway with his neighbors and friends. The neighborhood of Rollingwood was a distinctly safer place with Al Cooper living there. Al met the love of his life, Neta Wall, in the early ‘90’s and they became lifelong companions enjoying each other, as well as family and friends until her passing in 2012. Al developed an interest in antique steam traction engines and agriculture and traveled across the country with a young neighbor who introduced him to the preservation movement. Al was a Patriot to the core, and was always willing to help others understand the importance of God, Country and the 2nd Amendment.

Al is survived by his friends, neighbors and his stepson Randy Bruner and family in Frisco, TX.

A celebration of life for Al will be held Monday, July 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Bill Merritt Funeral Service, 6201 Northwest 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008. Following the celebration of life will be a committal service at Chapel Hill Funeral Memorial Gardens, 8701 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73162.

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