Alfred Braswell Cooper

Alfred Braswell Cooper, 84, of Morehead City died Wednesday at his home. A native of Nashville, NC, Mr. Cooper moved to Morehead City in 1937. Soon after his arrival in Carteret County, he began developing Atlantic Beach. He was the town's principal developer and served as it's mayor for a generation. Mr. Cooper also served as a Commissioner of Carteret County. Among the businesses he founded were the Idle Hour Amusement Company, the Sound Beach Pool and Aquarium, the Ocean King Hotel, the Rhoda Theater and the Oceanana Family Resort which he established in 1959 and operated until his death. Early in his career he engaged in such diverse businesses as importing bananas and owning a heavyweight prize fighter.
Funeral services 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Homer E. Morris officiating. Burial will follow in Bay View Cemetery with Elk rites.
Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Rhoda G. Cooper; daughters, Fanella Cooper-Willis of Atlantic Beach and Annette Cooper Lynch of Atlantic Beach and Bangor, Maine; son, A.B. ""Buddy"" Cooper of AtlanticBeach; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Television Ministry, 900 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557.
Arrangements by Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Morehead City, North Carolina.