Arthur Ray Cooper, 54, of Denton, Texas, beloved Son, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Uncle to many, left this earth to be with Jesus on Friday, August 31, 2012. Ray was born in Grants, New Mexico, on May 3, 1958, to James and Norma Cooper. He grew up and lived the majority of his life in Grants, New Mexico, before moving to Lubbock, Texas in 2004, and finally to Denton, Texas in 2008.
Despite losing the use of his legs in a car accident at 19 years old, Ray refused to let the disability slow him down physically. He had a passion for the martial arts and earned a 5th degree black belt and instructor status in the art of Tae Kwon Do in his early 30s.Ray competed in several martial arts tournaments throughout his life, and was also featured in a local news story documenting his journey and achievements in the sport. In addition to his passion for martial arts, Ray was also passionate about fitness and competed in weight lifting competitions throughout his 20s and 30s.Ray was never one to take the easy road but loved taking on challenges and achieving what others said he could not. Although he never had any sons of his own, he bestowed his wisdom and was looked up to by his many nephews and other young men who crossed his path.
Ray is survived by his parents, James and Norma Cooper; sisters, Sharon Thomas and husband Clay Thomas, and Shirley Stout; brother, Jay Cooper and wife Melanie Cooper; brother-in-law, Eugene Stout; daughters, Coleen and Tonia Rae Cooper; grandsons, Malakai and Mykah; nephews, Eric Stout and wife Lindsay Stout, Jesse Young and wife Mandy Young, David Thomas and wife April Thomas, Jeremy Young and wife Jennie Young, Christopher Stout and wife Summer Stout, and Justin Young and wife Lauren Young; nieces, Christy Hebert and husband Chris Hebert, Ashley Burget and husband Brad Burget, and Lacee Young; as well a number of great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held the evening of Wednesday, September 5, 2012, and Thursday morning, September 6, 2012, at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 2500 State Hwy 66 East, Rockwall, Texas. Funeral Services will also be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon, September 6, 2012, at 1p.m.Please visit Rest Haven’s website for additional information:
http://www.resthavenfuneral.com/Obituaries/obituaries-detail.cfm?method=2&id=1881
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to RBM Ministries in the name of Jay Cooper, PO Box 128, Plainwell, MI 49080-9903.
We will forever love you Ray, and although we will miss you for now, we know you are running down the streets of heaven at this very moment and we look forward to our reunion with you in the midst of God’s Great Glory!
