Paul Cooper

MEDINA – Paul Cooper born August 20, 1942, in Medina, NY and graduated from Lyndonville Central High School, Class President of 1960. Recipient of Babe Ruth Award for Sportsmanship. He earned a BS Degree from Clarkson University, where he was a lifetime member of Tau Kappa Epsilon social fraternity. Paul went to work for General Motors in 1964. He enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam crisis and met his future wife, Linda J. Blake at Ft. Bliss, Texas.  They married in 1970 and had two daughters, Cynthia Lynn and Melissa Beth, and were custodial parents to a wonderful son, Phillip C. Vails.

Paul served with Linda on various PTA committees, band booster organizations, and together coached Little League baseball in Southfield. He was elected to the Southfield School Board of Education, served for 8 years, and was President during his last year. Paul was an original member of the Southfield Community Foundation, Youth Advisory Council, and a Commissioner on the Southfield Parks and Recreation Board. He retired in 2002 from the General Motors Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan after 37 years at GM. Paul achieved 20 years straight Perfect Attendance with the Proving Ground.

Paul was also very proud of the work he had done with Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park, Michigan, Stone Soup Pantry in Lapeer, Michigan, and helping to establish Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas, Nevada. His greatest pleasure was enjoying life with Linda, the family camping, travel excursions, charitable work, and being with his Grandchildren.

The family asks those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Forgotten Harvest in Paul’s name at www.forgottenharvest.org.