On Saturday, July 4, 2015, 9:23 a.m., at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky, Frank Lee Cooper, Jr. at the age of 68 years, 8 months and 18 days, exchanged his earthly existence for eternal rest. He was born on October 16, 1946 in Tuscumbia, Alabama to his parents Frank Lee Cooper, Sr. and Mary Frances Neal Thomas, both of whom preceded him in death. As a young lad, Cooper was reared by his paternal grandparents, Leonard and Rosa Lee Cooper, and grew to be lovingly known to his family and friends as "COOPER". He was also preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Leonard and Rosa Lee Cooper and his step-daughter, Yvette Barney.

Cooper was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tuscumbia, Alabama. He was a 1964 graduate of the historical black Trenholm High School in Tuscumbia where their motto was: "FIND A WAY OR MAKE ONE." While at Trenholm High, Cooper played football and basketball and also played drums in the band. With a love of music and playing the drums, Cooper played in a Dance Band that travelled in High School and played on a record recorded by Jimm Hughes, "Steal Away". He also utilized his gtalent as a drummer on Percy Sledge's #1 Hit, "When A Man Loves A Woman". Cooper attended West Kentucky Vocational School during the mid-60's and received his certification as a barber. He helped to create "THE BLUE NOTES" as the drummer and kept his nickname "Coop" given him by his many friends
throughout his life. He courageously served active duty in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1968 during the Vietnam Era and utilized his barbaering skills on ship.

Cooper was a fun-loving and compassionate kind of guy who loved his family, especially his children. He even cared deeply for other children as well as his own. Cooper could also be an out-going person whenever he felt the need to be. He was fond of jazz and listened to it quite often when not playing his drums.

Cooper leaves to cherish his many memories:

Four Daughters
Sonya Manuel and Kesha Germany, Both of Indianapolis, IN
Earltoya Boss; Nashville, TN

One Son
Terrence Pleasant; Nashville, TN

Three Step-Daughters
Johnette Chandler; Indianapolis, IN
Lisa (Charles) Welch; Paducah, KY
Toni Bredlove; Nashville, TN

One Step-Son
Charles Bredlove; Nashville, TN

One Granddaughter
Shatrice Cooper; Indianapolis, IN

One Great Great-Grandson
Costello Spivey IV; Indianapolis, IN

Three Brothers
Ozell Grant and Tommy Thomas; Both of Paducah, KY
James Thomas; Indianapoplis, IN

Five Sisters
JaAnn Overstreet, Amelia Thomas-Hollowell, Sharon (Cletus) Woods, and
Jacqueline (Mark) Johnson; All of Paducah, KY
Barbara (Wayne) Biles; Aurora, IL

One Aunt
Mary (Marvin) Newberry; Paducah, KY

A Host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends including Special Friends: Cecelia Pleasant of Nashville, TN, Blossie Clark and Family of Union City, TN, Martha Frances and Wesley Powell of Mayfield, KY, Marshall Weatherspoon and Sharon of Paducah, KY, Charlie Gardner of Indianapolis, In, James E. Jackson, Sr. of Paducah, KY, and Al Gardner of Birmingham, Al.

Cooper will be forever loved and missed by all those who were a part of his life.