Michael Cooper

1944 - 2022

Michael Cooper
May 20, 1944 - June 11, 2022
Fresno , California - Michael was born into a "Norman Rockwell" family that forever shaped his character. He was the third of five children who enjoyed a carefree and connected childhood on Christmas Tree Lane with parents Barbara and Tom Cooper. Those deep attachments with his siblings and their spouses and children remained and grew throughout his life.
Michael did many things of note in his life. He was an outstanding athlete (high school football and track, later skiing, scuba diving, hiking and cycling). He was a talented musician (classical guitarist, Boogie-Woogie pianist) who loved to jam as a young adult. While in graduate school, he was called to his entrepreneurial roots (childhood hours working at Cooper's Department Store) when he created and operated Cooper's Antique Imports. He would later display enormous creativity in design, become a real estate broker (Grubb & Ellis, Pacific Properties) and very importantly….an amateur chef.
Michael's uniqueness, however, was in his "being". He loved large and he loved well. Michael was a person who lived fully and joyfully "in the moment" throughout his life. For example, while operating Antique Imports, his highly anticipated container opening sales events were as much about celebration with clients and friends as selling European antiques. Michael was nonjudgmental, harbored no malice, was always open to whatever adventure might await. He was an aficionado of all things artistic, relishing opera, museums and archaeology. His truly wicked, whimsical and irreverent sense of humor brokered any difficult moment. His playfulness made almost every day a bit of a party for his family and friends. He gave his family unconditional love and passionate devotion. He nourished us with the fabulous meals he so loved to cook. Among Michael's happiest hours were those spent under the sea holding hands with Janet as they navigated through fields of sea life. Of greatest importance to him, was his expansive love for his Janet, his beloved, too soon departed daughter, Amanda, and his devoted, heroic, son, Jared. Also cherished were his long-standing friendships, his siblings (Peter and Patsy Cooper, Pamela and Mike Soper, Katie and Bill Woods, Deborah and Jon Shaw) and all extended family members. Our yearning will be mitigated only by the enormity of our gratitude for every moment of our lives shared with Michael.