David
David (Dave) Edward Cooper
David (Dave) Edward Cooper, 84, passed peacefully into Christ’s arms on November 22, 2022.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Dave was born the youngest of 9 children on February 7th, 1938, in Fort Worth Texas to Floyd and Ethel Cooper. He will ultimately outlive them all. Floyd died not long after Dave was born leaving Ethel to raise 9 children during the depression. From an early age everyone was expected to go to work, thus creating a work ethic that would last his entire career.
Dave’s genesis in the grocery business began in 1943 after being caught filling his pockets with candy at the local A & R grocery. He went to work paying for the candy, sweeping floors, and straightening shelves. He would never steal again.
In the late 40’s Dave became very involved in the Panther Boys Club. This is what kept him off the streets and gave him a safe place to go when he wasn’t working or going to school. He would often say his time at the PBC changed the direction of his life.
In 1955 at the age of 17, Dave joined the Navy, which gave him structure and discipline, but most importantly taught him that given a level playing field he could compete with almost anyone. He received an honorable discharge in 1959. His mother Ethel passed away at the age of 60, just a few months after this.
After leaving the Navy he began his long and successful career in the grocery business, initially going to work for Wrigley Supermarkets and then A & P, Kroger, Supermarkets Interstate, and HEB. Finally finding the perfect fit with Tom Thumb in the late 70’s, holding positions of Store Director, Training Director, and ultimately Division Vice President where he had the pleasure of working with some truly talented people. It was as Division Vice President where Dave excelled in mentoring countless numbers of men and women in not only the grocery business but how to be someone of character, dependability, and unwavering ethics. His division consistently led the company in sales and profits. Finally, Dave retired in 1995 after over 40 years in the grocery business.
During his time with Kroger Dave would meet the future love of his life Barbara Jane Dollar. She thought he was cocky, and Dave thought she had an attitude. They were both right so in 1978 they were married and would begin a love affair that would last the next 44 years. Not only did Dave become a husband but he also became a father to 8-year-old Vicki Dollar. He had never been around children but poured himself into building a relationship with his two favorite girls and providing for them. One of the proudest moments in his life was when Vicki first introduced him as her “Dad”
Vicki would later marry Matt Edwards in 1991 and perhaps two of the happiest moments in Dave in Barbara’s life were in 1997 when Matt and Vicki announced they were pregnant with Cooper Lee Edwards, then again in 2001 with Madison Claire Edwards. These two brought joy into their lives they had never experienced. Their lives would never be the same now being Grammie and Grandad. Cooper and Madi became the center of their universe, never missing a birthday or holiday and traveling to numerous sporting or school events. There are no words to express how proud they are of their two grandchildren and the love they have for them.
Dave and Barbara traveled extensively, all over the United States, Europe, Canada, and Hawaii. Prior to retirement Dave and Barbara moved to Cedar Creek Lake, a house they had purchased in 1980, and used to escape and entertain all who would come. With two grandchildren in Amarillo, they wanted to move closer and found Robson Ranch near Denton.
This became exactly what they were looking for and they spent the next 17 years building strong and meaningful relationships that will forever be fondly remembered as some of the best years of their lives.
Dave is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sisters Florene Alice, James Floyd, Gladys Mae, Archie Earl, Ralph Eugene, Kenneth Wayne, Dorie Jane, Johnny Andrew. He is survived by his loving family Barbara Cooper, Vicki Edwards, and husband Matt, grandchildren Cooper and Madison Edwards. Services are pending. Arrangements are being handled by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Amarillo. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Dave is requested to make a contribution to The Church at Quail Creek of Amarillo Texas via Tcqc.org
Sign the online guestbook at
www.boxwellbrothers.com
.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Dave was born the youngest of 9 children on February 7th, 1938, in Fort Worth Texas to Floyd and Ethel Cooper. He will ultimately outlive them all. Floyd died not long after Dave was born leaving Ethel to raise 9 children during the depression. From an early age everyone was expected to go to work, thus creating a work ethic that would last his entire career.
Dave’s genesis in the grocery business began in 1943 after being caught filling his pockets with candy at the local A & R grocery. He went to work paying for the candy, sweeping floors, and straightening shelves. He would never steal again.
In the late 40’s Dave became very involved in the Panther Boys Club. This is what kept him off the streets and gave him a safe place to go when he wasn’t working or going to school. He would often say his time at the PBC changed the direction of his life.
In 1955 at the age of 17, Dave joined the Navy, which gave him structure and discipline, but most importantly taught him that given a level playing field he could compete with almost anyone. He received an honorable discharge in 1959. His mother Ethel passed away at the age of 60, just a few months after this.
After leaving the Navy he began his long and successful career in the grocery business, initially going to work for Wrigley Supermarkets and then A & P, Kroger, Supermarkets Interstate, and HEB. Finally finding the perfect fit with Tom Thumb in the late 70’s, holding positions of Store Director, Training Director, and ultimately Division Vice President where he had the pleasure of working with some truly talented people. It was as Division Vice President where Dave excelled in mentoring countless numbers of men and women in not only the grocery business but how to be someone of character, dependability, and unwavering ethics. His division consistently led the company in sales and profits. Finally, Dave retired in 1995 after over 40 years in the grocery business.
During his time with Kroger Dave would meet the future love of his life Barbara Jane Dollar. She thought he was cocky, and Dave thought she had an attitude. They were both right so in 1978 they were married and would begin a love affair that would last the next 44 years. Not only did Dave become a husband but he also became a father to 8-year-old Vicki Dollar. He had never been around children but poured himself into building a relationship with his two favorite girls and providing for them. One of the proudest moments in his life was when Vicki first introduced him as her “Dad”
Vicki would later marry Matt Edwards in 1991 and perhaps two of the happiest moments in Dave in Barbara’s life were in 1997 when Matt and Vicki announced they were pregnant with Cooper Lee Edwards, then again in 2001 with Madison Claire Edwards. These two brought joy into their lives they had never experienced. Their lives would never be the same now being Grammie and Grandad. Cooper and Madi became the center of their universe, never missing a birthday or holiday and traveling to numerous sporting or school events. There are no words to express how proud they are of their two grandchildren and the love they have for them.
Dave and Barbara traveled extensively, all over the United States, Europe, Canada, and Hawaii. Prior to retirement Dave and Barbara moved to Cedar Creek Lake, a house they had purchased in 1980, and used to escape and entertain all who would come. With two grandchildren in Amarillo, they wanted to move closer and found Robson Ranch near Denton.
This became exactly what they were looking for and they spent the next 17 years building strong and meaningful relationships that will forever be fondly remembered as some of the best years of their lives.
Dave is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sisters Florene Alice, James Floyd, Gladys Mae, Archie Earl, Ralph Eugene, Kenneth Wayne, Dorie Jane, Johnny Andrew. He is survived by his loving family Barbara Cooper, Vicki Edwards, and husband Matt, grandchildren Cooper and Madison Edwards. Services are pending. Arrangements are being handled by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Amarillo. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Dave is requested to make a contribution to The Church at Quail Creek of Amarillo Texas via Tcqc.org
Sign the online guestbook at
www.boxwellbrothers.com
.
To send flowers to the family in memory of David (Dave) Edward Cooper, please visit our flower store.
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