Henry Burwell Cooper, Jr.

Henry B. Cooper, Jr. (94), of Charlotte, NC, passed peacefully into the next life on August 15, 2023, surrounded by beloved family members. Fondly known as Coop, Henry was born to Henry Burwell Cooper and Mary Currin Owen Cooper in Richmond, Virginia on February 6, 1929. Doubtless owing to his being an Eagle Scout, he had a love for adventure and the outdoors that took on many expressions later in life, from sailing and fishing the open seas, to exploring old NC mountain roadbeds in his '56 Willy's jeep, to backpacking parts of the Appalachian Trail, to snow skiing in the Colorado Rockies, to playing the Old Course at St. Andrews, to travelling much of the world. After transferring from Wake Forest University to graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Henry started a career in retailing by founding a high-end men's clothing store on the campus of Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. He then enjoyed a successful career in sales working for Giant Portland Cement Company before going back to UNC-Chapel Hill for his master's degree, after which he taught public high school for eight years. He ended his career with the same entrepreneurial drive that marked its beginning, buying and operating a child daycare business with his brother. After retiring, he joined longtime Wake Forest University Chaplain, Ed Christman, and launched the student-led Volunteer Service Corps, which he would say was his greatest honor and privilege.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 51 years, Virginia Anne Maddox Cooper, and his brother, Bailey Owen Cooper. Survivors include his second wife, Elizabeth Isbell Bulla Cooper, his brother's wife, Barbara Doar Cooper, and sons Kent Burwell Cooper and wife, Nancy; William Owen Cooper and wife, Laura; and Henry Moreland Cooper and wife, Donna. He is also survived by five grandchildren, who affectionately called him PawPaw - Ben, Luke, Elizabeth, Alexa and Pierce. Additionally, he is survived by two great grandchildren, Leila and Judah. He was a good-humored man, always quick with a joke, and he will be remembered as a man who embodied the attributes of the Scout Law: "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." He will be sorely missed.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Brighton Gardens for their many kindnesses. Graveside services will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, NC (530 Hillsborough Street) on Saturday, August 26, at 1:30 pm. The family will host a drop-in gathering/luncheon at Henderson Country Club (300 Country Club Dr., Henderson, NC), beginning at 11:00. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226, or to Lead With Character (www.leadwithcharacter.com). Gentry - Newell & Vaughan is serving the family.