George L. Cooper

George "Coop" Cooper of Monticello, Fla., passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2024, surrounded by his family at The Big Bend Hospice House in Tallahassee, Fla.
George was born June 21, 1940, in Detroit, Mich., to Franklin and Bessie Cooper. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his half-brother, Mac McCarthy of Michigan; father-in-law, Buford E. Tyre, Sr.; mother-in-law, Isabell Wolff (Karl); and sister-in-law, Brenda Williams.
George was an avid golfer (Capital City Country Club, Seminole Legacy Golf Club and SouthWood Golf Club), loved family gatherings and cooking. He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Monticello and participated in the Men's Fellowship Group. Before his illness, he headed up a cook team for the fellowship meals. He loved his Lord and Savior, his dog Jake and cat Josey, and sitting on the front porch watching the birds and saying "I love this place."
He retired from the State of Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services - Florida Division of Forestry after 30 years of service.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Diane Cooper of Monticello, Fla.; daughter, Connie Barnard (David), of Tallahassee, Fla.; son, Chad Cooper (Christi) of Louisville, Ky.; stepson, Scott Hall of Tallahassee, Fla.; two brothers-in- law, Buford E. Tyre, Jr. (Mollie) and Art Williams; nine grandchildren, Stephanie Thompson, Christina Thompson, Dustin Hall, Bradley Cooper, Brandon Cooper, Megan Watt (Joseph), Justin Eads (Donna), Ben Barnard (Katie Kascak) and Patty Rodriguez; and seven great grandchildren, Avery Barnard, Hannah Cooper, Minnie Cooper, Remmy Cooper, Skylar Watt, Hazel Watt and Evelyn McCord.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the First Methodist Church of Monticello beginning at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Big Bend Hospice House (1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, Fla. 32308) or First Methodist Church of Monticello, Inc. (325 West Walnut St., Monticello, Fla. 32344).