George Russell Cooper III

George Russell “Rusty” Cooper, III, age 62, of Conover, NC, died at home on Sunday, February 18, 2018. Born July 30, 1955, at Fort Bragg, NC he was the son of Ret SGT MAJ George Russell Cooper, Jr and the late Vivian Deal Cooper. George served his country as a Patient Care Specialist in the U.S. Army and he extended that service for years as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves.

He cherished his daughters and regarded their lives as his greatest accomplishment. George delighted in the game of basketball and if his girls played, they could count on their dad to be in the stands. He never missed a single game. George also spent many seasons coaching teams at the Hickory YMCA, Hickory Parks and Recreation, and later for the Carolina Quest Youth Basketball.

He will be missed cheering from the sidelines of his grandson’s football games and in the stands at T-ball games.

George focused his energy on loving his wife and family. He saw time as a gift to savor and to him; the best times were by and in the ocean with Terry and his children and grandchildren.

George is survived by his wife of 29 years, Terry Cooper of Conover; daughters, Ryan Ammerman, Lindsey Parker, Katelyn Cooper, and Kylea Cooper; grandchildren, Nathaniel Ramsey, Rowan Ammerman, Paige Ammerman and Andrew Eller; brother, Richard E. Cooper and wife Tina; and niece and nephew Ian and Jane Cooper.

A gathering of friends for a Celebration of Life Service and Reception will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2018 at Drum Funeral Home in Hickory. A Committal Service will be held at a future date on the water with Eternal Reefs. Eternal Reefs is a non-profit company that takes a person’s cremated remains, mixes them with environmentally friendly concrete and incorporates them into a gigantic Reef Ball. The Eternal Reef is lowered to a final resting place on the ocean floor, replenishing the diminishing coral reefs and creating an underwater memorial that is healing for the sea and for families. George believed in coaching, mentoring, and nurturing relationships. His wish in death was to create a living legacy that will benefit future generations.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Emory and Henry Women’s Basketball, P.O Box 950 Emory VA, 24327 with a notation of Rusty Cooper, and to Eternal Reefs. To make a tax-deductible donation to George Cooper’s Eternal Reef, contact The Genesis Reef Project, DBA Eternal Reefs, at [email protected] or 888.423.7333.

Condolences may be sent to the Cooper family at www.drumfh-hickory.com.