Chester L. Cooper

CHESTER LLOYD COOPER, son of the late Edward and Lucille Cooper was born on October 20, 1933. After a lengthy illness, he went home to be with the Lord on Christmas evening, December 25, 2011.Chester was born in Baltimore, Maryland and he attended the Baltimore City Public School System. He met and married the love of his life, Ms. Betty Coley on June 30, 1956. From this union of fifty-six years, three children were born, Anthony Sr., Valerie and Gary Sr. Chester was a strong, caring man who loved, protected and valued his family. He taught his sons how to be men and he modeled for his daughter what a real man looked like. When his children asked him how he could do and fix so many things around the house, he would say, “It’s because I am the Can Do Man.” Chester had a strong work ethic and took great pride in providing for his family. He was employed at Bugle Laundry and Rice’s Bakery respectively for several years until he landed his last job at Eastern Stainless Steel. He worked at Eastern Stainless Steel Company for twenty-eight years before retiring. He was proud to help his oldest son, Anthony obtain employment at Eastern as well. They both worked swing shifts, but there were times when they had the opportunity to work side by side. This strong work ethic was transferred to his son, who seldom turns down overtime on his current job. While working at Eastern Stainless Steel, Chester was always reading information and thinking of ways to become self employed. He explored many opportunities of entrepreneurship. He started his own Pest Extermination Service. He contracted with various businesses in the community to allow him to place Commercial Vending Machines in their places of business. He sold jewelry and various specialty novelty gadgets. Brother Cooper later started selling candy and hot fried chicken from the back of his trunk. This idea took the church by storm. The saints could hardly wait until church was over to get some of that “tasty home fried chicken”. The little children changed his name from Brother Cooper to “The Candy Man” as they raced behind him to his car with their change in their hands. He loved the children and taught them how to count their change and budget their money, allowing them to have I.O.U’s to pay off their candy debt. Mr. Cooper’s latest and most successful idea was to learn how to obtain real estate. He and his daughter, Valerie decided to take a Real Estate class together. He called her his secretary and made sure she took meticulous notes and asked all of the right questions. After completing the class, Mr. Cooper purchased his first rental property. He was so excited about this accomplishment. He came home smiling and shaking the keys to his newly purchased duplex rental property. “Daughter, we’ve got our first piece of property” he stated. This was an indication that he was planning to obtain more properties. And that’s exactly what he did. He continued to shake the keys as he purchased several more rental properties. Mr. Cooper managed and operated these properties until his passing. Surely, Brother Cooper was not afraid to take a risk or try a new idea. He knew “the only thing that could beat a failure was a good try.” In fact, we found a recently drawn invention idea on the kitchen table. He talked about this idea with his son, Gary and he had his grandson, Anthony Jr. to draw the picture. He also talked to Gary about some investment/debt management books he was planning to order. While sitting around with family and friends, those books were delivered to the door. As previously stated, he was always thinking, reading and finding out ways to make life better; not only for himself and his family but for all whom he came in contact with. Mr. Cooper was a kind, gentle man with a quiet and humble spirit. He cared about people and would lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He would help you without saying a word to anyone. He gave behind the scenes and he gave from his heart. He never sought any kind of praise, fanfare or recognition. He had a special way of getting along with others. He was a great encourager and supporter of anyone who was trying to do the “right thing.” Chester joined Highway Church of Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop Fred Page D.D. in 1969. He accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and remained a faithful member serving under the current pastor, Bishop Jimmie Thompson Sr. until his passing. Brother Cooper was a man who loved the Lord and was not afraid to give God praise. Although he himself was a giver, he was always appreciative of all that others did for him; especially, when his health began to fail. He enjoyed spending quality time with the brothers in the church. These were his buddies and friends. His closest friend was Elder David Hickson. They referred to each other as “My brother and my friend.” They first developed a friendship many years ago as co-workers at Rice’s Bakery and later reconnected as Christian brothers in the church; hence, the name “My brother and my friend”. Brother Cooper was truly appreciative of all that Elder Hickson and his wife did to help him and his wife. They were like family and they stuck by his side until the end. Chester, Brother Cooper, Mr. Cooper, Dad, Pop-Pop will be sorely missed. He truly was a man of great integrity and character. He leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy: his wife, Betty Cooper; two sons, Anthony L. Cooper Sr. (Joan) and Gary L. Cooper Sr. (fiancee, Dorothea); one daughter, Valerie L. Mims (Angelo); two brothers, Edward Cooper Jr. and Robert Cooper; one sister, Thelma Rozier; three goddaughters, Charzetta Gaylord, Erica Redmond and Jamie Campbell; six grandchildren, Anthony Cooper Jr., Tiffany Cooper, Gary Cooper Jr., Courtney Mims, Brandon Cooper and Aaron Cooper; two great-grandchildren, Amayah and Amani Cooper; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Tributes

Chester L. Cooper

October 20, 1933 - December 25, 2011