Ramon F. Cooper, 83, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Friday, August 27, 2010, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Ray was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on Friday, June 10, 1927 to the late Frank and Carole (Cherski) Cooper. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Gary Cooper. While living in Buffalo, New York in the early 1950′s, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and was a member of the Honor Guard, giving Japan back her “colors”. Ray was passionate about writing, and was a published author and poet. The local newspapers posted many of his “Letters to the Editor:. Ray retired from warehousing in 1994 and moved to this area from South Florida in 1995. He enjoyed gardening, relaxing on the porch overlooking Lake Como, watching the birds feed and enjoying the serenity of the lake. A member of Hope Lutheran Church, Ray was affectionately know as “The Sign Man” by all who enjoyed the messages he posted on the church sign. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family by signing Ramon’s guest book online at WWW.WattsFuneralHomes.com. Those left to mourn his loss are his “honey” of 39 years, Marilyn Cooper; children: Laura Allen and husband Peter, Linda Sampson and husband Erik, Patricia Herman and husband Don, Daniel O’Connor and wife Maureen, Edward O’Connor and wife Dara; fourteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers in law: Bill Miller, Richard Miller, Sam Sterling; sister in law, Susan Cooper; Many other family, friends and his church family will miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers the family requests that, donations may be made to Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center, 6400 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, Florida, American Cancer Society, 600 Zeagler Drive, Palatka, Florida 32177 or Hope Lutheran Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 132, Satsuma, Florida 32189. Visitation was 6-8 PM, Monday, August 30, 2010 at Watts Funeral Home Chapel in San Mateo, Florida. Funeral Service will be 11 AM Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the Hope Lutheran Church in Satsuma, Florida with pastor, Julie W. Frank as officiant. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Watts Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Inc., 720 U.S. Highway 17 South, San Mateo, Florida 32187, Phone, 386-328-1414.
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