Carl A. Cooper

         Carl A. Cooper, 82, died Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at his home on Mt. Creek.

          He was born to Edgar H. and Velma Thedford Cooper in Chattanooga, TN, but spent most of his boyhood with his grandparents at their cabin on West Buffalo, where he loved to hunt and fish.  He began working as an airplane mechanic in Kansas at a very young age and learned to fly there, leading to a long and prosperous career as a crop duster.  After moving to Bakersfield, CA, he was a partner in “Old River Crop Dusting” and worked there until he retired and moved back to his beloved Graham County.  Carl loved airplanes, helicopters, cars, motorcycles, boats – anything that kept him moving and exploring.  He traveled extensively across the United States, making friends everywhere he went, as long as his health permitted.  He also volunteered as a helicopter pilot for the Graham County Sherriff’s Department for several years, a job he loved, as flying was his passion.  He was also an avid photographer and his home is filled with photos documenting his life and travels. 

          He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David, and his sisters, Beverly Cooper and Marilyn C. Stewart; and niece, Lisa Adams Drum.  His memory will be cherished forever in the hearts of his wife of 20 years, Polly Moody Cooper; his sister, Linda (James) Buchanan, sister in law, Winnie Cooper of Bean Station, TN; his sons, Tab Cooper of Bakersfield, CA, and Carl Cooper, Jr. of Kansas; his daughters, Nichole Cooper Baldwin and Toni Cooper Hughes, both of Bakersfield, CA, and Pam Lefler of Ashland, OR; his step daughters, Jessica Buchanan Jones and Nichole Buchanan Pastell, both of Robbinsville, NC.  He has 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

          Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the Townson-Smith Chapel.  Reverends Mickey Stewart and Daniel Stewart will officiate.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 pm at the Chapel, prior to the service.

          Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Cooper family.  An online register is available at www.townson-smithfuneralhome.com.