Theodore Stephen Cooper

Theodore "Ted" Stephen Cooper Jr. was born in Denver, Colorado on Friday, May 13, 1955. Born to Dorothy Cooper nee Bertheuson of Grand Forks, ND and Theodore Cooper of Aspen, CO. He was their firstborn and was followed by brother John, and sister, Lizabeth (Liz). His mother was raised in big farm country in North Dakota and his father was the son of an early settler in Aspen, lured there for the prospect of discovering silver. His mother and father met while working together as teachers in Denver. Incredibly smart, Ted grew up performing highly in school. He learned to play the piano and violin, and joined the golf team in high school. The family moved to Evanston, Illinois when Ted was at age 10 and spent the rest of his adolescence there, going to Aspen every summer to take care of the Cooper lodge and cabins. He loved science and would retreat to his basement laboratory often. He loved his fish tanks and also reading, a pastime he kept his whole life, having several books going at the same time. He disliked the cold winters in Chicago, and moved south for college, attending the University of Virginia majoring in Business and Economics. Upon graduation in 1977, he moved back to Chicago to attend Northwestern University and receive his MBA in Marketing. His time in the warmer South left an impression, and he eventually made his way to Winston-Salem, where he climbed the ladder quickly at Sara Lee Corporation in the LEggs Pantyhose division, sixteen and a half years in all, eventually becoming Vice President of Marketing. Coincidentally, Julia Davis (to become Julia Cooper) also worked at Sara Lee as a Forecasting Analyst in the Hanes Hosiery division. Julia and Ted first met at the North Carolina beach, being introduced by two mutual friends. He proposed two years later on Valentines Day with ruby heart earrings, promising a diamond ring later on when he could afford it (a promise he kept). She said yes, and they were married on Sept. 4, 1982 in Winston-Salem. They waited 5 years before having children to enjoy time together. They had birds and cats. Ted always loved animals, especially cats, and was never without a pet cat (or 3). Ted and Julia bought their first house in Clemmons, North Carolina, and welcomed Kelly Berg Cooper, their first daughter, on August 5, 1987. He loved that house, as it was located on Tanglewood Golf Course. He continued to be successful and 4 years later bought a house closer to the city. There, he and Julia welcomed Natalie Elizabeth Cooper in 1996. Unfortunately, the same year she was born, Ted lost his job and Julias father died all in the same month. Leaving the stress of a high-pressure job, he welcomed the opportunity for a fresh start. He had always thought of becoming a doctor, and chose to pursue his OD, Doctor of Optometry. At age 42, he was accepted at Southern College of Optometry and moved his family to Memphis, Tennessee in 1997. The family settled in Germantown due to the excellent schools. They attended Hope Presbyterian Church, and he would say at that time he truly turned his life over to Christ and became a Christian. His faith would grow over the rest of his life. Also at this time, he and younger daughter Natalie bonded, frequently attending Grizzlies basketball games. He was a huge sports fan, always keeping track of Grizzlies basketball, Cubs baseball, Virginia Cavalier basketball, and golf. After graduating from Southern College of Optometry, Ted went on to open his own practice "Dr. Ted S. Cooper, Optometry" in Collierville. He prided himself on creating a high-end boutique glasses shop. He loved working with his patients and taking his time. Julia and both daughters worked in the family business. Later in life, he began going to AA, and Ted was open about how much it helped him "surrender" his will to God. His eldest daughter, Kelly, married Joshua Puckett in 2014. Teds immersion baptism at Central Church in 2016 was one of the highlights of his life. He served in Childrens Ministry and in Re Engage, a marriage renewal program at Central. Alcoholics Anonymous and exercising at the YMCA became his daily rhythm that gave him purpose and joy. His daily attendance will be dearly missed by his friends there. He viewed AA as his life ministry and sponsored many people. In these last years, he repeatedly said that he loved his life, and he was so proud of his youngest daughter Natalie who is also an entrepreneur and small business owner, Custom Art by Nat Coop.His life was full, and his family meant everything to him. He became a grandpa in 2020 to Brody, and again in 2024 to Ian. He was so proud of those boys. He even got to assist with a surprise marriage proposal for Natalie in December of 2023, and was happily anticipating her marriage to fianc, Austin Goff. Ted succumbed on Feb. 15th after a two week fight with pneumonia and several other complicating health issues. His family misses him so much taking solace that in his last years, he truly loved his life, and lived it exactly as he wanted. He was surrounded by all his family in his last days, speaking words of love. He is with Jesus in Heaven now, and we cant wait to see him again one day where we believe he will be surrounded by cats and wearing a sports cap Funeral HomeBrent Taylor Funeral Directors 534 W Poplar Avenue Collierville TN - 38017 US (901) 707-8115 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Theodore, please visit our Tree Store.