Harold M. Cooper

COOPER Harold M. Cooper, age 87, passed away October 4, 2010. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eloise. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Annamarie. Harold was a graduate of Central High School and attended The Ohio State University. He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946. Harold began a lifelong association with professional baseball as a clubhouse boy for the Columbus Red Birds in 1935. He was the Minor League Executive of the Year in 1950 with the Hutchinson Kansas Elks. He was the general Manager of the Columbus Jets from 1955 to 1968. In 1965 he was named International League Executive of the Year and the Minor League Executive of the Year by The Sporting News. Harold served as a Franklin County Commissioner for sixteen years and was instrumental in the renovation of Jet Stadium and the return of professional baseball to Columbus after its departure after the 1970 season. The Columbus Clippers began playing in Franklin County Stadium in 1977. The facility was renamed Cooper Stadium in 1984. In 1978 he was elected President of the International League and served in that capacity for 12 years. He was inducted to the Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988, the Columbus Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 and the International League Hall of Fame in 2007. A statue of Harold greets Columbus Clippers fans as they enter the main entrance at Huntington Park. Harold still served as a Vice-President of the International League, over 70 years after he began his involvement with minor league baseball. Visitation will be held 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the SCHOEDINGER GROVE CITY CHAPEL, 3920 Broadway, Grove City. In lieu of flowers, contributions in the name of Harold Cooper may be made to the west side, Boys and Girls Club of Columbus, 115 S. Gift Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Harold.