Howard Cooper, 85, of Robinson, has gone home to be with the Lord, Monday, August 21, 2017. The family will receive visitors Saturday, morning, August 26, 2017, from 9 to 10 am at Pecan Grove Funeral Home 3124 Robinson Dr. Graveside services will reconvene 11 am, Saturday at Chapel Hill Memorial Park. With Bro Bill Litton officiating.
Howard Henry Nelson Cooper was born September 20, 1931 in Coryell County to Floy and Lela Cooper. Howard was born on his mother’s birthday. He claimed that he was the best birthday present she ever received! Howard had to quit school 10 weeks into 10th grade to work at the ice house in Gatesville to help pay family bills. His family leased 3 pickups for ice deliveries. His Dad drove one, Dub Fair (brother-in-law) drove another, and Howard drove the third truck. Everyone had to have ice during the war because no one could afford to buy electric ice boxes. When the ice business was no more, Howard went to work at the local bus station and news stand. He also drove a taxi and worked at a gas station. Howard was drafted into the army in 1952 during the Korean War. He was selected as “the outstanding trainee” at Camp Polk, Louisiana and went to San Francisco where he was a MP.

When he came back home, he married Janelle Manning on January 4, 1955. They had 3 children. Howard worked at Dr. Pepper as a delivery man. He was then offered a job at Borden's Milk, so he bought a milk truck and served grocery stores for almost 30 years. His children learned the meaning of hard work and long hours as well treating all people with respect and kindness through his example. Dad used to say, "the hours are short, the boss is nice, and the pay is high!" He also worked for the City of Robinson Water Department 10 years. Howard served as a deacon at the Robinson Church of Christ where his family attended church for many years.
Howard is preceded in death by his parents, infant brothers, Carroll and Jimmy, and sisters Lucille Fair, Dorothy Drake and Belva Boyd. He is survived by his sons, Mike Cooper and his wife Cheryl of McGregor, Brian Keith Cooper of Abbott, Texas; and daughter, Michele Gibbs Cooper of Fort Worth; seven grandchildren Candice Cooper Weiss and her husband Frank, Colleen Cooper Ducklow and her husband Mark, Carrie Beth Cooper, Brian Casey Cooper and his wife Kalyn, Elizabeth Cooper, Matthew Gibbs and his wife Riann, Maegan Gibbs and four great- grandchildren Eric, Stetson, Mason, and Ryleigh.
Pallbearers will be: Chris Gibbs, Matt Gibbs, Frank Weiss, Mark Ducklow, David Robinett, Mike Magee, Casey Cooper and Rod Springer. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Bluebonnet Health Services, and Westview Manor for their loving care of Howard.
Life is a vapor, God is love, and Heaven is our Home.