Riley Leonard Cooper

Leonard Cooper, 83, of Grants Pass, died Saturday, August 2, 2008 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center with Bishop Monte Sharp officiating. Private inurnment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.since1928hull.com

He was born Riley Leonard Cooper on February 7, 1925 in Mortons Gap, Hopkins County, Kentucky to William White Cooper and Ida Mae Randolph Cooper. He married Ester Patterson and they had one son who lived only two days. Ester passed away shortly after. On September 5, 1948 he married Bonnie Ruth Scott and they had five children as well as one step-son he raised. He served one term in the U S Navy during World War II and in 1949 enlisted for another term of three years. Leonard was an electrician by trade and worked at that career the remainder of his life, including an opportunity to work in the Marshall Islands. While in the Marshall Islands, he was able to enjoy fishing, swimming, golf and exploring the islands. He also had a band called “The Happy Wanderers”. In 1985 he retired and went back home to Hayward, California until 1989 when he and Bonnie moved to Grants Pass. In July of 2004 due to health problems, he was place in Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center where he remained until his passing.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints formerly of Redwood Ward and was presently a member of the Riverside Ward. He volunteered in the Boy Scouts Program.

He enjoyed a life long love of music and painting and had great talent in both areas, both playing guitar and writing songs. He also enjoyed gardening.

In addition to his wife Bonnie Cooper of Grants Pass; survivors include his sons, Ken Cooper and his wife Bonnie of Fernley, Nevada; Greg Cooper of Whidbey Island, Washington; Perry Cooper and his wife Cheri of Cave Junction; two daughters, Shirley Fredrickson; and Barbara Wood, both of Grants Pass; twelve grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, William Cooper and grandson, Kevin Starks.