Dillard Cooper Jr. (J.D.) died peacefully Saturday July 12, 2014 at Hospice of NW Ohio with his daughter at his side. JD was born December 25, 1924 in Fairview Kentucky to Dillard and Ethel (Huddleston) Cooper. JD was a US Navy veteran of World War ll. He proudly served on the USS Tennessee in the Pacific participating in battles which included: Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He married Pearl Bernice Weaver August 23, 1947. They were married for 63 years until her death in 2010.
Before enlisting in the Navy he worked on the family farm. After the war, JD and Pearl moved north to find work and he was hired by the B&O Railroad where he worked until his retirement. He also delivered furniture, was a country western D.J. and after retiring drove new vehicles for a car dealership.
JD was a 50 year member of Paragon Masonic Lodge, Member of the High Twelve Club, VFW Post 2984, American Legion, Shriners, and AA. He attended Hope Community Church. He loved golf, driving, getting the best end of a deal, telling big stories and anything that kept him on the go.
JD was preceded in death by his parents, wife and brother James.
He is survived by his daughter Goldie (Dr. Joses) Yuan; grandchildren: Tammy (Craig) Strahl, Jonathan (Lisa) Trost; great-grandchildren: Nicholas Strahl, AJ, Maddie and Nathan Trost; brother, George (Evelyn) Cooper; sisters: Peggy (Don) Inks, Mary (Mel) Bunch, Jane (Bill) Moses; brother-in-law, Henry A. Weaver and honorary grandsons, Andy and Zak Knopp.
Family and friends may visit Tuesday July 15 from 2-9pm at Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd. Oregon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11am at the funeral home with Pastor Troy Durkovic officiating. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Hope Community Church or Hospice of NW Ohio.
Special thanks to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of NW Ohio for their kind and gentle care of J.D. and his family.