Jerry Cooper of Stanfield passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at the age of 79 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Wash.
He was born in Denver, Colo., on May 23, 1937 to Joe and Maggie Christopher Cooper. He attended Stanfield schools graduating from Stanfield High School in 1955. After high school Jerry began his farming career with his father, Joe Cooper. He raised many different crops throughout his 60 plus years of farming including mint, hay, wheat, melons, field corn, sweet corn, and a variety of produce.
Jerry married Pam Bateman of Umatilla on June 22, 1963. They raised four children in the home they shared for 53 years. In his early years he was a basketball referee throughout eastern Oregon. Jerry served on the Board of Directors of both the Stanfield Rural Fire District and the Stanfield Irrigation District for many years. He was affectionately known as Mayor of Loop Road. An avid fisherman he fished the Columbia River and took trips to fish the coastal waters of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He enjoyed sharing his experiences of traveling to England in 1981 and Russia in 1987.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Maggie Cooper. He is survived by his wife Pam, four children; Teresa Cooper Walchli, Randy Cooper (Brenda), Neil Cooper and Cheri Cooper Hanson; sister Vicki Saylor; and five grandchildren; Kenzie Cooper, Jack Cooper, Dru Walchli, Caitlin Hanson and Kendall Cooper. Jerry will be missed by his family, extended family and many friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Burial at the Hermiston Cemetery will follow the service. A “gathering” will take place at the family home at 77591 Cooper Road, Stanfield, following the burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Stanfield Community Center, PO Box 744, Stanfield, OR 97875 or the Stanfield High School FFA, 1100 N. Main, Stanfield, Oregon 97875.
Please send condolences at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
