Obituary of Ralph Wayne Cooper

Ralph Wayne Cooper, age 73, of Sanford, MI, passed May 27, 2018. Ralph was born to Glenwood Jasper Cooper and Cleo Marie Lindsey March 20, 1945 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Medina Cooper, who cared for him every day until his passing. Ralph was a Vietnam Veteran, serving as an Electricians Mate 3 in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bennington CVS-20. He leaves his legacy, 5 children: Stephanie Landry (Mitch Landry), Faren Magee (Joe Magee), Jay Morast (Jennifer Morast ), Kc Cooper (Sadie Cooper), and Medina Cooper Hausbeck. His children remember him as a loving father who always had a crazy idea up his sleeve, a new invention, and a story to tell. If something was broken, dad fixed it and of course found a way to make an "improvement". Tree forts, zip lines, go-carts and water sports were just a few of the things he loved designing for us, and the more we laughed...the more he laughed. Ralph was a talented, self-employed (Process Control Management, Inc.) creative engineer until his retirement. He loved his family, his boat, bonfires, and his freedoms including the second amendment. We will miss, yet never forget, listening to him pick the guitar any chance he had, playing and singing his favorite tunes. He was proudest while seeing the smiles and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren both personally and professionally. He will be missed by his 14 grandchildren: Anthony (28), Christopher (26), Nicholas (25), Hayden (22), Sarah (18), Joey (13), Beau (13), Karsten (12), Mackenzie (12), Kennedy (12), Macey (10), Charli (9), Jesse (9), and Sidney (7). A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Great Lakes National Cemetery 4200 Belford Road Holly, MI 48442. Kc Cooper will officiate. In lieu of flowers, Ralph would ask that you "live and let live", respect the water always, properly stoke every bonfire, and crank Willie, Waylon and Merle should they ever cross your radio waves. Our family hopes everyone will join us for "cheers" following the service. The location will be shared at the the cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project: The Fallen and wounded Soldiers Fund, P.O. Box 33099, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Online donations may be made by using Pay Pal can be made at fwsf.org We thank our friends and family for your kind support. Namaste. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com All sympathy store items must be sent directly to the family home.