Gary Cooper was the eldest of three children born to his parents, Doran and Rose Cooper. With his father making a career in the U.S. Air Force, Gary experienced a rich childhood living all over the U.S. and abroad.
One of the highlights of his early life was being the pitcher for his Little League baseball team and leading them to the finals in Berlin, Germany. As a teenager in Bangor, Maine, Gary discovered his technical skills with electronics. He excelled in drawing, played trumpet in the High School band and played lead guitar at local functions in his own rock band. He maintained his love of guitar throughout his life. After graduating from Bangor High School, his father’s military career brought the family to Homestead, Florida. Gary attended Miami Dade Community College before transferring to the University of Miami. He chose South Florida as his home and resided there for the rest of his life.
He was an avid reader with concentrations in psychology and philosophy. Though in his early 20’s he often referred to himself as a “hippie”, he soon ventured into entrepreneurship and for many years operated his own electronics repair shop. During this period he married and welcomed his son Jered into the world. Over the years, Gary continued to use his technical skills in a variety of jobs involving audio, video, telecommunications, and lighting systems. His most recent position was as a medical laser technician.
After a long illness, Gary departed from this life on June 3, 2013. He was preceded in death by his beloved father Doran Cooper. Gary’s memory will be cherished by his son Jered (Sandra) Cooper; his mother Rose Cooper, his sisters Donna Cooper (Henry Richards) and Denise Cooper, along with other relatives and friends.
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