In loving memory

Gene Franklyn Cooper

November 1947 - March 2024

Gene Cooper peacefully passed into the loving, warm embrace of God the Father, Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, with his wife and son by his side. Gene was 76 years old.

A Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran, Gene was proficient, disciplined, and tenacious. Whatever his hands found to do, his intent was always to do it well, but also do well by others. He was a generous, kind, and dependable man. Through decades of work and labor, he manifested honor, courage, and commitment in his duties and to the people he worked with.

Gene enjoyed reading scripture and studying archeology and pondering the abundant natural mysteries of this planet's history. He was not afraid to consider fantastic possibilities of what might remain undiscovered. His curiosity and imagination complimented his insight and meticulous attention to detail.

As a born-again Christian, Gene was whole-heartedly devoted to a higher calling of serving the Lord by ministering and sharing the gospel of salvation. He never hesitated to bear witness of his deliverance to anyone who was seeking, and was joyful of every chance to profess the astonishing impact of Jesus' love, grace, and discipline in his life. Whether through personal testimony or his frequent posts on social media, Gene carried a relentless, burning desire to spread the Word of the Lord to those who were lost and hurting. He desperately wanted to share the immeasurable love, redemption, and joy he experienced the day he cried out to God in repentance.

Gene was a committed husband, a rock-steady father, and a trustworthy friend. He saw himself as no greater than others, and felt convicted of his own conscience when his actions or words did not glorify the Lord. Gene yearned to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, but also believed himself unworthy to touch even the hem of His garment. He was immensely comforted by the promise that one day he would be united with the Savior, and that his heart, mind, and soul would find serenity in the splendor of Heaven.

Our merciful Lord granted him that peace, welcoming a good and faithful servant into eternity.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a

good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me

a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and

not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.