Gary Olen Cooper

Gary Olen "Pop" Cooper, 77, of Belmont, NC, went home to be with the Lord on December 3, 2021 at his home.

Born April 21, 1944, Gary was the son of the late Charlie and Ruth Cooper. In 1997, he retired from Hoechst Celanese after 19 years of service. Gary was a member of North Main Baptist Church in Mount Holly, NC. An avid fisherman, Gary loved taking his grandchildren on yearly fishing trips to the Outer Banks. He also enjoyed annual fishing trips with his buddies, camping, and playing softball. Above all, he loved his family.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his sisters, Brenda Cochran and Sue Warriax; brothers, Roger and Charles Ray Cooper; and parents-in-law, Dan and Lucille Vause.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Diane; children, Dale Cooper and wife, Crystal of Belmont, Renee Painter and husband, Tim of Belmont, Tracy Howell and husband, Jeff of Burnsville, NC, and Andrew Cooper and wife, Kari of Fort Mill, SC; 8 grandchildren, Erin Carver and husband, Josh of Jonas Ridge, NC, Jacob Painter and wife, Ciara of Clyde, NC, Jonathan Painter and wife, Jessica of Greer, SC, Zachary Howell and wife, Cori of Greenwood, IN, Samuel Howell of Wilkesboro, NC, Maggie Howell of Burnsville, NC, and Pennie and Hadley Cooper of Fort Mill, SC; 4 great-grandchildren, Nora and Lena Carver, Cooper Painter, and Tobias Howell; sister, Ruthie Cooper of Lincolnton, NC; and sister-in-law, Becky Venn and husband, Barry of Springwood, NC.

A service to celebrate Gary's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mount Holly. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice by visiting www.gastonhospice.org.

Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is caring for Mr. Cooper's family.

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