Charles E Cosper

Charles E. Cosper, born on April 17, 1935, in Arkansas, passed away on December 22, 2025. Charles was a man whose life was dedicated to service and improvement, both in his professional pursuits and personal endeavors.

He was the son of Joe Bell Cosper and Emma Viola Hughes Cosper, both born in Arkansas. During Charles' youth, the family moved to Oklahoma, then Oregon, then Southern California. Following his marriage to Betty in 1961, the couple moved to Sacramento to raise a family.

A notable scholar, Charles graduated from Stanford University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. He furthered his education and earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from California State University Sacramento in 1979. During this period, he was recognized as an “Internship Mentor” from the University of Southern California School of Public Administration through its Sacramento program, marking his commitment to guiding future leaders.

Professionally, Charles dedicated himself to the State of California from 1961 until his retirement in 1988. He held various titles across multiple state departments, ultimately attaining the role of Senior Management Analyst for the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans). His tenure at CalTrans from 1972 to 1988 helped save the state millions of dollars via efficiency reports and management training programs.

His friends and family members will remember him as a thoughtful and friendly individual. He spoke multiple languages and through Sacramento State University provided a home for foreign exchange students for many years. He was also a talented musician who played saxophone, clarinet, flute, guitar and harmonica. 

Charles is survived by his five children: Glori, Alex, Cindy, John and Don.