It is with great sadness that the family of Gary Randall Cooper, Sr., 72, of Stone Creek, Virginia announce that he passed lovingly into the arms of Jesus on February 14, 2025.

Gary was born on July 23, 1952 in Pennington Gap, Virginia, the youngest of ten children. He grew up in a loving and close-knit home in the hollers of Stone Creek, a place that always held a special place in his heart, no matter how far he traveled. He was a graduate of Pennington High School and Virginia Intermont College, and dedicated his life to learning as many things as he possibly could. He was no stranger to hard work, from long years spent in the coal mines to serving on the Board of Supervisors and running a small engine repair company. In his free time, he loved being in the presence of his family, passionately discussing history and sports, gardening or repairing anything that needed it - and sometimes things that didn’t. He had many passions in life, having spent time as a boxer, a musician, and a recreational baseball player.

Gary was a loving man, kind and caring, and helped anyone however he could. He was sweet-natured and known for his chivalry and big heart, consistently donating to everlasting charities until his death. He was full of faith, identifying as Pentecostal, and lived his life spreading the love, kindness, and word of God.

Gary is proceeded in death by his parents, Hubert Cooper and Ossie Cooper (née Jones), four brothers: Garvie, Eugene, Bobby, and Kenneth Richard, and four sisters: Anna Mae, Jewel, Shirley, and Lorretta. He is also proceeded in death by his wife of fifty years, Victoria Jane Cooper (née West), and his youngest son, Micah Shane Cooper. He will also be happy to greet many grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in the presence of Jesus.

Gary is survived by a loving family, including his children: his oldest son, Gary Randall Cooper Jr. “Tommy” (and wife, Martha), his baby girl, Jessica Cooper (and partner, John), and his youngest very special child, Kara Cooper (and partner, Dustin). He will also be greatly missed by all of his grandchildren, who were the apples of his eye: Haley Cloud (and husband, Dalton), Autumn Thompson, or “Auddie” (and husband, Garrett), Ossie Cooper (and wife, Ashley), Cammy Cooper, Macy Cooper, and his only grandson, Alex Cooper (and partner, Cameron), and great-grandchildren: Paisley, Payton, Zowey, Koral, Sarah, and Augustus. Step grandchildren, Ashur Combs, Blade Ballard, and Cheyenne Martucci. He is also survived by two sisters, Audrey and Dohna, and a hoard of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Though he will be missed with much grief, the life of Gary will be celebrated with a committal/graveside service at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Pennington Gap Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Gary’s name. Burial will be held at Cooper Cemetery at a later date.

Gary Randall Cooper Sr. and his family are in the care of Pennington Gap Funeral Home.