Gerald LaVerne Cooper

Gerald L. Cooper, 73 of Grants Pass passed away Thursday, April 28, 2011 at his residence Born March 16, 1938 in Fort Benton, Montana. Gerald lived a wonderful life in many different places and with his friend and wife of fifty years they made every place a home. He was the youngest son to Beverly and Laverne Cooper. "Jerry" grew up in Fort Shaw, MT working on the family farm until graduating from high school and joining the US Navy. He volunteered for submarine duty and spent four years as an Electricians Mate on board the USS Redfin. On that submarine he experienced many adventures around the world and after his Honorable Discharge he then returned home to Great Falls, MT. Not long after he started working for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. in Helena, MT. He was young and full of ambition and drove a 57 T-bird and caught the eye of a young waitress at Gerties Car Hop. Soon, Prudence Miller was to be the love of his life and his best friend for the next fifty years. Along the way they were blessed with two sons Gary and Brett; together the four of them shared in many more memorable adventures. At 46 years old he retired from the telephone co. (along with a weekend hobby in real estate) and started out on another adventure which landed them in Brookings, OR. Soon after Gary and Brett joined them and started a construction company called Cooper and Sons const. In 1997 Jerry retired again and they moved to Grants Pass, OR. Always the adventurer and avid tinker; Jerry, Prudy and sons built a beautiful home and enjoyed every moment possible with their grandkids and watched as their legacy grew. Jerry and Prudy loved to travel in a camper; he loved to fish and hunt with his boys and to most people was immediately called a friend. We call him a gentle gentleman who was always thoughtful, loving, and respectful. He was the type of man that set the standards for a great example of how to be a man, husband, father, and grandfather. We were all honored to be a part of his family and will attempt to live the rest of our lives in his honor. Jerry died in the home he was so proud of under the care of what he called the best nursing possible, his wife Prudence and all of his family. As he leaves us he promised to hold a place for those he leaves behind; his wife Prudence, sister Bette Anne and brother Duane from Great Falls; sons Gary Linn and Brett Allen; daughter in laws Lesa and Kim; grandsons Gage, Gavin, and Kedrick; granddaughters Christian (Crissy), Moriah, Whitney, Cece, and Chantelle; great grandkids Meig, Aidan, Lexi , Logan, and Akesha. The Cooper family will have a Celebration of Jerry's life at the Elks Lodge, 207 SW K St in Grants Pass 1-3pm on May 14.

Service Information

Saturday, May 14th, 2011 1:00pm, Grants Pass Elks Lodge 1584

Details:

Service Extra Info Celebration of Life 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM