Charles "Coop" Cooper, 85, of Cleveland & Youngstown, Ohio, passed away on July 14, 2022, after a 5-year health battle that began with esophageal cancer.

Charles was born on January 1, 1937, to Ruther C. Cooper and Hattie Mae Sallis in Lexington, Mississippi. After attending grade school and high school in Cleveland, Ohio and growing up in the E. 85th Street & Superior neighborhood, Charles was drafted into the United States Army where he went on to serve for 12 years and achieve the rank of Sergeant. After being honorably discharged as a certified mechanic and returning home, he landed a highly sought-after mechanic and laborer position at General Motors, Lordstown and began a 42-year thriving career climbing the ranks for the auto giant eventually becoming a foreman and training the young degreed mechanical engineers that would later call him "mentor" and "coach".

Charles was never "unlucky" in love, and married several times during his lifetime, but it wasn't until October 3, 1983, when he married the love of his life Carolyn (Hairston) Cooper (affectionately known as “Lil Sugg”) of Youngstown, that he knew she would be his one and only from that day forward. While Charles and Carolyn didn't have any children from their union, Charles did have 5 children of his own,  Charles Cooper Jr (Gael Cooper), Tena Johnson, Ellen Jacobs (James Jacobs), Athena Cooper Hechavarria (Miguel Hechavarria), and Cheryl Cooper Perez (Rico Perez). Carolyn also brought 5 children to their union, the youngest of which Tiffany Yetts, they raised together. Charles was also a proud grandfather to 21 and great grandfather to 17.

Charles was a hardworking man who loved doing construction side-projects, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. He was an avid reader and loved to learn and challenge his mind. Charles enjoyed teaching and training others in the skills he acquired, usually by sight, teaching himself and figuring things out on his own. Charles was also passionate about Cleveland sports, westerns, cars, and gardening and could often be found taking care of his vehicles, taking care of his plants and yard, or relaxing on the couch curled up with a good western or watching his favorite movies and shows. Anyone who knew Charles knew that he was extremely intelligent and never shied away from a hard day’s work. Charles was predeceased by his father Ruther Cooper, mother Hattie Mae Cooper, and brother’s James Davis Jr and Robert Cooper. He is survived by his sisters Shirley Cooper & Jonnie Cooper and brother Harold “Butch” Cooper Sr.

There will be a memorial service with military honors on September 2, 2022 and a Charles style Celebration of Life BBQ. For more information, please go to the Charles F Cooper memorial website at https://everloved.com/life-of…

Information regarding flowers and other memorial contributions and gifts can also be found on the Charles F Cooper memorial website at https://everloved.com/life-of…

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