Stanley Cooper Obituary, Death – In addition to the condolences previously sent, we also send condolences to the Cooper family, Bishop James and Pastor Stephanie Dunn and the Little Bethlehem Narrow Way Church of Oxford, GA in regard to the passing of District Elder Stanley Cooper. It has been a challenging week for the faith communities of the Atlanta and Covington areas, but nevertheless, our faith stands firm in the God of all comfort.
On March 21, 1931, he was born to John and Margaret Cooper in Bakersfield, California. Shortly after his birth, the Cooper family relocated to Reward, also in California. It was when he was three years old that his family made the move to the Little Santa Maria Valley, and he spent the entirety of his life in that location. Olig school, Taft High School (from which he graduated in 1949), and Taft Junior College were all on his educational path.
At a Victory Oil Barbeque, Stanley met Wanda Helms, who would later become his wife; the couple wed the following year in 1952. In his youth, he was involved in an accident that resulted in the loss of his left hand; nonetheless, this never stopped him from doing anything. He was brought up by Carl Johe, who instilled in him a wide range of important life principles. He got his start in the workforce at a young age, helping out on the ranches in the area by sewing grain sacks on a combine, operating tractors and harvesters, tending to cattle, and participating in all areas of farming.
He found his true love and happiness in farming. In 1959, he embarked on a career as a self-employed farmer. For the purpose of constructing the ranch, he acquired and leased property. In the 1980s, he launched Stanley Cooper & Sons Petroleum Distributorship, which would subsequently become known as Cooper’s Petroleum. Also, he initiated the mining operation and acquired Dillingham Conductor Services. Later on, they established Diatom, LLC, which included mining, agricultural, and livestock operations.
He was very involved in the community, serving on both the Westside Mosquito Abatement Board and the McKittrick School Board for a combined total of 26 years. He was very involved in the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite, and the Shriners organizations.