Grady Gilbert Cooper Sr., a native and resident of Elsanor, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015.
Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Bessie Mitchell Cooper; one son, Grady Gilbert Cooper Jr.; and sister, Glenda Cooper Lewis.
Survivors are his wife of 64 years, Dolores Johns Cooper; daughters, Carmelita Cooper (Carl) Hartley and Karen Cooper (Jimmy) Robbins; and his brother, Donald Cooper. He also is survived by two grandsons, Joshua (Alicia) Reding and James Robbins; as well as two great-grandchildren, Mason Cooper Reding and Ava Grace Reding; and many other relatives.
Mr. Cooper was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He achieved the rank of sergeant and spent 20 months in post-war Japan.
He was a farmer and cattleman and a passionate Alabama Crimson Tide fan.
For many years, Mr. Cooper was a school bus driver for the Elsanor route for the Baldwin County School System and transported many children safely to and from school.
The family will receive friends at Bethel Baptist Church in Elsanor on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 9 a.m., with services to follow at 10 a.m. Pastor Harvey Earl will conduct the service.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be relatives and friends of Mr. Cooper: Ronnie Glass, J.R. Harbison Jr., J.R. (Richard) Harbison III, Thomas Carl Lineberry, Joseph R. Petelinski III and Darren Rush.
Donations may be made in his memory to Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 908, Robertsdale, AL 36567.
Arrangements by Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, Highway 59 Robertsdale, Ala., www.mackfuneral.com.
