Services for William Thomas (Tommy) Cooper will be Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Criswell Funeral Home with burial at Rosedale Cemetery. The Rev. Coy Howry and Tommy’s brother, Jack, will conduct the service. Tommy left this earth peacefully surrounded by his children at his home at age 82, at 5:21 am Sunday, January 5th. He is now reunited with his wife Carolyn and other family members which was his heart’s desire for some time now.
Tommy was a native of Ada, born on April 28th, 1942, the first-born child of L.C. and Nelrose Cooper of Ada. He attended Ada City Schools and graduated from Ada High School in May, 1961. On April 28th, 1961, his 19th birthday, he married the girl of his dreams. Their love for one another was better than any Hallmark movie could possibly be. Their relationship was truly an example for others and a true testament of a God- led life union. While Tommy suffered physical ailments, his life ended from a broken heart from losing Carolyn in May, 2023. If there was ever a storybook love story, it was theirs.
On June 20th, 1961, Tommy enlisted into the United States Navy. He was stationed in San Diego, California. He was assigned duty on the USS Henrico APA 45 as a BT3. During his tenure in the Navy, he was involved in active combat in Vietnam, Cuba, and other top- secret US operations. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy on June 8th, 1965 and continued to serve with the Navy Reserve until June 19th, 1967. Tommy was proud to serve his country and shared many stories of his time leaving home as a young newly- wed with a child on the way to do his part for our nation. In May, 2005, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11194, hosted a ceremony on the courthouse steps in Ada to award overdue awards to Tommy and others for their service. Tommy received a National Defense Service Medal, Expeditionary Medal 1 Bronze Star, Armed Forces Cuba and Vietnam, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Gallantry Cross Medal color and palm.
Following the Navy Tommy left San Diego and landed in Tulsa, Oklahoma to work for Yuba as a welder. Following this he moved the family to Antlers to work for Brown and Root Industrial Services as a blueprint proof reader during projects in building lumber mills. Later he attended East Central in Ada and received a degree in Industrial Arts in 1971. From there he taught Industrial Arts at Del Crest Junior High in Del City, OK, and then moved back to Ada and taught Industrial Arts at Ada Junior High. He left teaching and began working in the family business of Cooper Oilfield Services, something he had done all through his high school years. He led this business to expand and prosper and then ended his professional career working with his brother Sam with Cooper Fuel Transport. Tommy worked hard all of his life and made many sacrifices in order to provide for his family and to support the family business. There was not a lazy bone in his body and he approached all of his work with loyalty and purpose. Tommy was the person that did it himself rather than ask for help. And even with the hardest work ahead of him, Tommy could find the humor in life and keep everyone’s spirits up and strong.
Tommy’s sense of humor provided entertainment for family and friends his entire life. The party started when Tommy would arrive. He had a way about him that drew others to him. He never met a stranger and could make all people feel welcome and appreciated when he was in their presence. Tommy was a peace maker. He never raised his voice, never demanded attention, but attention just came his way. Things were always better when Tommy was there. He had a heart of gold, and he could light up a dance floor with his dance moves with Carolyn. Tommy was a gentle giant for his family and would never stop doing for others in the family.
Tommy had a great love of custom cars. He customized a 1949 Jeepster that he originally owned in high school and bought it back many years later and customized it to win numerous awards at car shows across the state and beyond. He also customized a 1950 Ford that won numerous awards. His attention to detail was amazing and perfect. He carried this love of cars with him his entire life, purchasing his last “fun car” just a month or so before his death. His work has been featured in numerous publications for the custom car enthusiasts. His favorite past time was traveling down the highway with Carolyn or other family members listening to “Low Rider”, or other upbeat songs from his era. We know his car buddies Gil, Monte, and Kimo will miss him greatly.
Tommy is survived by his children, daughter Kelly Jo Cooper Flinn of Fittstown, son, Kevin Cooper of Skiatook and wife Jodi, and daughter Amy Cooper Hayes and husband Kimo of Ada; his brothers Joe, Sam, and Jack, six grandchildren, Lyndie Jo Flinn Yerby, Ryan Cooper, Randall Cooper, Haley Ann Robinette Wilson, Eli Cooper Flinn, Andrew Robinette, and four bonus grandchildren, Keisha Pool, Jade Hayes, Dylan Hayes, and Presley Hayes; 17 great grandchildren and one on the way. He was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, parents, sister Becky, and other family members.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
