Richard Gleanis Cooper

Passed away November 23, 2011, after many years of fighting prostate cancer and recently bladder cancer. Born to Dorothy Imogene and Gleanis O. Cooper, Kellogg, IA. Richard joined the US Army in 1947 at the age of 17. Serving in the Korean War as a squad leader in the I&R platoon, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, X CORP, he was one of the "FEW" who survived the bitter battle (4 days, 5 nights) on the east side of the Chosin (Changjin) Reservoir, Korea, in the winter of 1950. Air evacuated to Battlecreek, MI, he recovered from his wounds and frostbitten hands and feet. He then went on to join the 11th Airborne Division stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, where he earned his much coveted paratrooper badge. From 1956-1959 he was assigned to the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group in the Philippine Islands. Returning to the U.S. he joined the 82nd Airborne Division, 1962-1965 at Ft. Bragg, NC. In 1965-1966 he was assigned as an advisor to the Japanese Airborne Brigade in Japan. In 1966 he was transferred to the Military Assistance Advisor Group (MAAG) in Taiwan Republic of China (1966-1969) where he was promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant Major (CSM). From 1969-1970 he served as CSM, HHC, 1st BDE, 101st Airborne Division in the Vietnam War. His medals include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal (3rd), Joint Service Commendation, Army Commendation (3 OLC), Good Conduct (7th Award ) and others. His most coveted were the Combat Infantry Badge, 2nd Award and his Master Parachutist Badge. Honorably discharged in 1970, Richard and his family remained in Taipei, Taiwan where he worked as plant manager for General Instruments Corp for nine years before returning to the U.S. Richard is survived by his four children who dearly love him: Tamara Cooper Tenner, Spokane, WA; Craig A. Cooper and his wife Sharon, Woodbridge, VA; Ellise Cooper Anderson and her husband Bruce, Camas, WA; Kimberly A. Cooper Phebus and her husband Brett, Spokane, WA; and six grandchildren: Mandara Tenner, Spokane, WA; Larissa Anderson, Seattle, WA; Christopher Anderson, Camas, WA; Lindsay Cooper West, Woodbridge, VA; Natalie Cooper, Woodbridge, VA; Blake Phebus, Spokane, WA. His brother Roger Cooper and his wife Eileen, Charlotte, NC; his wife, Judy Fisette and her two children, Post Falls, ID.

“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” ~Henry David Thoreau

Full Military Honors Service is planned in the spring at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.