Thomas W. Cooper

Thomas Woodrow Cooper
of San Juan Capistrano, California
Born February 20, 1917 in Valatie, NY to John Bell Cooper and Mary Isabelle Ritz Cooper.
Thomas died on December 22, 2011 in


Mission Viejo, CA.
He was raised in Valatie, New York. Upon graduation from Valatie High School he enlisted into the US Navy.
From 1935 to 1941 he sailed aboard the USS Quincy 39 as a Yoeman first class, and was a plank owner aboard the ship, which represents the honor of being the first sailors aboard a new ship. The USS Quincy was later attacked and sank in the south pacific in the summer of 1942, six months after he has discharged from active duty.
On December 30, 1938 he married Valerie Ann Beauchamp in San Diego, CA.
After his time served in the Navy he settled down in Southern California where he worked at Baker Oil Tools in Commerce, CA for 40 years as an Inventory Manager while he raised his family. He retired in March, 1982.
He was the president of the Commerce Federal Credit Union.
He held the position as Governor of the Society of Mayflower Descendants of California.
He was a member of Sertoma Club of Whittier, and was named Sertoman of the year in 1994.
He was very proud of his ancestry and was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution as well as named a descendent of the Jamestown Colony Association.
He was a resident of California for nearly sixty years. He made Whittier his home town for forty years and then moved to San Juan Capistrano to be a part of his grandchildren's daily lives.
He loved to hear the trains from his house on the hill in San Juan Capistrano as they would roll down the valley. He looked forward to hearing the mission bells along with Sunday mass at Mission Church in San Juan Capistrano, followed by an afternoon coastal drive that reminded him of his family tradition of driving through the Hudson Valley.
He took pride in watching his great grandchildren as they participated in sports, dance, art and music.
During his golden years the highlight of his week would be enjoying lively conversation over a cup of coffee with cherished friends at Marbella Market in San Juan Capistrano where he was known and loved.
He passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Thursday, December 22, 2011.
He was preceded in death by his Wife Valerie Ann Beauchamp Cooper, daughter Priscilla Ann Cooper Schmidt, sons Thomas Woodrow Cooper II and Gregory Lee Cooper, as well as his sister Francis Cooper McIntyre, and brothers Donald, Ritz and Jamie Cooper.
He is survived by his grandson James R Smith and granddaughter-in-law Myrna Smith, great grandsons Adam James Smith, Matthew Daniel Smith and Mark Gregory Smith, great granddaughter Valerie Nicole Smith and great, great granddaughter Lily Nicole Bivins.
He will be laid to rest on Friday December 30th, alongside his wife Valerie, daughter Priscilla, sons Thomas and Gregory.
He was a great man and role model, as well as a friend to all.
The funeral will be held on Friday, December 30th at 3pm. This day would be Thomas and Valerie's 73rd Wedding Anniversary.
Flowers may be sent to:
Rose Hills Memorial Park
3888 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
www.rosehills.com
Donations:
Friends of Yosemite
www.yosemitefund.org
Village of Valatie Santa Claus Club
www.valatiesantaclausclub.com