Ronald Milton Cooper

Ronald M. Cooper 1944 to 2024

Ron of Independence, Oregon passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024, with his family by his side.

Ron grew up in St. Johns, Oregon. Picked berries starting at 6 to pay for his school clothes, had a newspaper route, a pet duck and lots of play and shenanigans. A juvenile officer helped him turn around in middle school. He played the trumpet, wrestled, and played baseball early on, but had to work. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1962 with excellent grades and received a scholarship to Columbia University in New York City. Ron served in the US Navy from 1965 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. He was top in his class in Mandarin Chinese at the Monterey Institute. His mission was to listen to, intercept, and translate the chatter from Chinese ships. Ron proudly served on two submarine missions, flew on covert planes, and in South Korea and Japan on listening stations. When he returned home, he paid off his parents' debt to Gilham's Grocery store and attended the University of Oregon, then a carpet cleaner and construction for a while.

On Labor Day 1975, Ron and Ingrid met by chance at the Frontier Market in Eugene. Ron stopped and said, "I see you like Continental Yogurt, too." Six months later, after exchanging letters and a few visits, we were together. We married on October 3, 1981, on the foot bridge we built. A testament to their love and teamwork.

Ron was grateful for 40 + years clean and sober one day at a time in AA.

Ron graduated from Oregon State University with a double major in Horticulture and History in June 1979. Over two summers at OSU, he had a very meaningful internship at the gardens at Shore Acres. Ron retired in July 2002, as a Landscape Supervisor at Western Oregon University. He was instrumental, with his crew, in advocating and creating a beautiful campus and planting 100's of trees and flowers. He knew the name of every tree and received two National Awards for the Campus.

Ron loved being a father. Our two sons, Tim (Nora) and Brian, are the joys of our life. He was always there for them, coaching soccer, and basketball, going to their games, camping, cooking, going for hikes, and telling stories. He loved chopping wood, gardening, planting trees, jazz and working on projects. We have lived in Independence for over 45 years. Our property is our sanctuary, where we have fields of camas flowers, deer, trees, orchard trees, wildlife, and great long -time neighbors. He knew everyone's names and stories in our community. He stood up for human rights, conservation, the environment, and advocated for transparency and reasonable local policies. He always worked hard and strived for excellence.

Ron is dearly loved and treasured by Ingrid, sons Tim (Nora) and Brian, his extended family members on both sides, his neighbors, and his good friends. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Belle (McFadgen) Cooper. He loved each of our five kitties and Reggie, our golden retriever who was there to meet him across the rainbow bridge.

Thanks to Dr. Buckley, First Light, Battle Creek Memory Care in Salem, and BrightOn Hospice for their compassionate care for Ron and our family.

We will have a Celebration of Life at the Historic Gentle House,855 Monmouth Ave. N.; Monmouth, OR 97338 on the WOU Campus, with free parking. Welcome any time between 10 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 25, 2025, with a service at 10:30 and time to share stories, a lite lunch and Ron's favorite sweet treats afterwards.

Consider a donation to any of the following local organizations: Lord and Schryver Conservancy; Luckiamute Watershed Council, or The Inspiration Garden in Independence, or plant a tree, or go for walks in honor of Ron.