Edwin M. Cooper

Lt Col Edwin M. Cooper, USMC Retired, went to be with our Lord and Savior on 6 Dec 2021 after 84 years of Service Before Self. Born 8 July 1937 and raised in Shamokin, Ed was the second son of Edwin Emanuel Cooper and Nancy Van Gasken-Beck. Ed was married to his soulmate, Helen Mae Cooper (Lenker), of Irish Valley for 63 years. He won her heart with letters and yellow roses and was always as eager to make her happy as the day he proposed. After raising two sons and retiring from the Marine Corps, Ed and Helen built a home in Irish Valley where they proceeded to raise their granddaughters, Courtney and Peyton, after the untimely death of their youngest son. Ed’s passion was his girls; he was a steadfast rock of love and patience. We were all so blessed to have him in our lives.

Shining shoes, delivering block ice, sweeping bus stations, and working in the Philadelphia garment district while going to school as a young boy were all routine jobs growing up during the Depression, WWII and the post-war era before Ed joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17. He quickly rose through the enlisted ranks in various combat support roles, to include combat engineer demolition specialist and parachute rigger - where you only graduated after jumping your own chute! Later, he honed his leadership skills and command voice during a tour as a Drill Instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Gunnery Sergeant Cooper served in Vietnam as a UH-1 Huey Gunship machine-gunner and was decorated with 15 Air Medals and the Purple Heart, and later received a battlefield commission. But Ed turned down any decorations for valor because “if the whole crew doesn’t get it, I don’t want it!” As an officer, Ed served in various air support, communication and command roles, including a tour as a Presidential Aide (West Coast Operations) for the Nixon administration. One of the last true Mustangs, Lieutenant Colonel Cooper served as Director for Information Systems, Headquarters Marine Corps Research, Development and Acquisition Command, when he retired in 1991 after 37 years of faithful and distinguished service.

“PopPop” Cooper was an outstanding and loving father and grandfather known for his French toast, blueberry pancakes and smoked turkey. He could also be seen at the Lewisburg Farmer’s Market helping the Haupt Farm barter fruits and vegetables, or helping a neighbor in need. Throughout his life, Ed was civic minded and was a member of the Scottish Rite Shriners and Tall Cedars fraternal organizations.

Surviving members of the Cooper clan are his wife, Helen, son Lt Col Chuck Cooper, USAF Retired (Shawne), and grandchildren Courtney Cooper (Jeff Magerko), Peyton Cooper (Danielle), Lora Cooper and Helen Cooper. He will also be missed by Dusty the poodle.

He was preceded by his son Tadd Cooper, sister Nancy Cooper (Machusak) and brother Robert Cooper.

We hope and pray that heaven has plenty of iced tea and apple butter for PopPop as we continue our hero’s legacy of love. Semper Fi, Marine, Semper Fi!

FUNERAL SERVICE NOTICE

Edwin M. Cooper, 84, of Paxinos-Funeral will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being cared for by Farrow CJ Lucas Funeral & Cremation Service, 240 West Chestnut Street, Shamokin, PA. Lori Ann Campbell Supervisor. To send condolences to the family please visit www.farrowfh.com