Ray H. Cooper, 87 of Seneca Rocks passed away May 5, 2024, at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg.
He was born on Oct. 22, 1936, in Seneca Rocks and was the son of the late Perry J. Cooper and Dora Alice (Champ) Cooper Mauzy.
Mr. Cooper was a 1955 graduate of Circleville High School.
He was a logger in his early years and lifelong sheep farmer, block layer and carpenter. He later retired from American Woodmark Corp in Moorefield.
He was a member of the Seneca Rocks United Methodist Church. He had tremendous faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was a dedicated husband and father. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life and he was always proud of his family. He also found tremendous joy in coaching and watching various sports in basketball, baseball and softball. He loved to hunt with his family and was an avid follower of West Virginia University sports.
In his later years, he was a fixture at all of the local softball fields. He made many lasting friends during this time. He will always be remembered as someone that never met a stranger.
His wife, Gladys (Mongold) Cooper, preceded him in death in 2011.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory two daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and James Arbogast and Cheryl and Tom Phares, all of Seneca Rocks; and a son and daughter-in-law, Derek and Charity Cooper of Seneca Rocks; five grandchildren, Brandon Arbogast (Lindsay), Whitney Spivey (Brett), Isiah Phares (Lindsay), Carly Cooper and Caitlyn Cooper; four great-grandchildren, Wren Phares, Chloe Spivey, Tristin Spivey and Jack Arbogast; a sister, Ethel Williams (Ronney) of Elkins; two brothers, Dave Cooper (Judy) of Fairmont and Bobby Cooper (Carolyn) of Petersburg; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Arvella Vance and Rella Rhodes.
Funeral services were held Friday in the chapel of Schaeffer Funeral Home in Petersburg with Pastor J. D. Wilkins officiating. Interment followed in the Cooper-Bible Cemetery at Seneca Rocks.
Memorials may be made to the Petersburg Middle School or Petersburg High School softball teams, 128 Upper Hickory Lane, Petersburg, WV 26847 or Seneca Rocks Volunteer Fire Department, 2342 Allegheny Drive, Seneca Rocks, WV 26884.
