NICHOLSON – Marshall Earl Cooper, 80, died Wednesday December 24, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospice House following a long battle with cancer.
Born in Braselton, he was the son of late Taylor Grady Cooper and Lena Teal Cooper, Mr. Cooper owned and ran A&E Trucking for 18 years. He was the first building inspector for Oconee County in 1974 and held that post for eight years, and Madison County’s first building inspector from which he retired in 1997. Mr. Cooper was a charter member of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Democratic Party Executive Committee. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Walking Horse Owners Association, a member of the South Carolina Walking Horse Association, and a member of Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association, as well as serving as judge in numerous walking horse events. Mr. Cooper was also a proud member of the Masons for over 50 years.
A loving husband and father, Mr. Cooper is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ann Patat Cooper; daughters and sons-in-law, Kim Cooper and Allan J. Strickland, Valdosta, and Julie Cooper and Dale S. Harrison, Cumming; six grandchildren, Beth Strickland Downs, Derek Colin Harrison, Anne Strickland Howard, Leslie Blair Harrison, Margaret Allan Strickland, Caroline Strickland Montague; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 28, at 2 p.m., at Lord & Stephens WEST, with a reception to follow. Interment will be private.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Rd., Watkinsville, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com
