Ben E. Cooper

Appalachia, Virginia Ben E. Cooper, 72, of Appalachia Virginia entered into eternal rest on Sunday, December 21, 2014. Ben was born in Appalachia on November 30, 1942 and graduated from Appalachia High School. While in high school, Ben participated in drama, the Tricky Sixty Band, played tuba, and was a drum major for the band. He also played football and basketball. Upon graduation, Ben voluntarily joined the United States Air Force where he served honorably for 22 years. He received multiple military awards, including the Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. Ben retired with the rank of Senior Chief Master Sergeant in 1982. He loved his country and served it proudly. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he worked for NASA as a Project Superintendent at Kennedy Space Center. He later returned home to be a caretaker for his parents. Ben faithfully attended the Derby Methodist Church. God blessed Ben with many abilities and talents such as carpentry, cabinet making, construction, electrical, air conditioning, and auto mechanics. He generously shared these skills with others, asking nothing in return. Ben was a salvage diver for Quest Ventures (which movie star John Wayne owned). Ben’s crew recovered pieces of eight (silver and gold coins) and also overhauled diesel motors for the same company. He was a Master Mechanic for this company. Ben was a basketball official for high school and collegiate sports in Satellite Beach, Florida. He also coached little league baseball where his team won the county baseball tournament (county champs for three years in a row!) He coached football (midget division) and coached former Heisman Trophy winner Doug Richard Flutie and won State division title in 1975. He also mentored Boy Scout troops for 13 years. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack E. (Mary Ruth) Cooper; brother, Joe Houston Cooper; niece, Patricia Lee Cooper; nephew, Jack Lee Cooper. He is survived by son, Mike Ellis Cooper of Melbourne, Florida; sister, Doni Ann Cooper Duckett of Danville, IL; brothers, Dr. Jack Sewell Cooper (Debbie) of Miami, FL, Tom Lawrence Cooper (Carolyn) of Appalachia, VA, Sid Pat Cooper (Linda) of Big Stone Gap, VA; granddaughters, Amy Nichole Chrisman, Jennifer Nichole Thompson; great-grandchildren, Justin Thomas Chrisman, Emily Mary Chrisman, Hayden Patrick Chrisman, Isaac T. Thompson, Blake Joe Thompson, Alex Robert Thompson; nieces and nephews, Mary Bernice Cooper Wilburn, Mark Sewell Cooper, Amy Jo Flemming, LeAnn Wanninger, Gail Lynn Harkleroad, Dianna Ruth Cooper Bolinsky. The family acknowledges and expresses their special gratitude to the Williams Family (LeeRay, Michelle, Raymond, Jazmyine, and Justus) and the Miller family (Curt, Connie, and Timmy) who were special friends and companions to Ben. The family is also grateful to Dr. Ford and Una Fay for their many years of professional care and support. Visitation will be held at the Roy A. Green Funeral Home, Appalachia, VA from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2014. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at the Derby United Methodist Church with Pastor David Rose officiating. Burial will follow in the Glencoe Cemetery, Big Stone Gap, VA. The family request that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Derby United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 164 Appalachia, VA 24216.