Paul Ray Cooper passed away on May 3, 2025, in Turlock, California, at the age of 75.
Born on October 8, 1949, Paul was the son of Charles Ray Cooper and Pauline Rae Cooper.
Paul graduated from Denair High School in 1967 and attended Modesto Junior College. On August 16, 1969, he married Edna Moon. Together they had one son, Shawn Cooper (Nicole). Paul was a proud grandfather to Maci, Gianna, and Taryn Cooper.
Paul began his professional life at International Paper and later worked at Paul’s Paint and Glass before dedicating 34 years to the Turlock Irrigation District, retiring in 2019.
A lifelong lover of baseball, Paul’s passion for the game began at age seven in Hayward, California. He started coaching during his senior year of high school and continued for an extraordinary 58 years. He mentored hundreds of players, emphasizing not only the fundamentals but also sportsmanship and teamwork. In addition to coaching, Paul umpired games and served on the Little League Board. He also played men’s softball and competed in the Senior Softball World Championship in Utah.
Paul was an active member of Kiwanis for 23 years, where he organized the club’s weekly breakfast meetings and managed the Turlock Christmas Parade.
Above all, Paul found joy in supporting his granddaughters as their biggest cheerleader, traveling across the country to attend their cheer competitions. Known for his ever-present smile, generous spirit, and sharp sense of humor, Paul brought warmth to everyone around him.
His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched both on and off the field.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Pauline Cooper, Sister Charlene Cooper
He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years Edna Cooper, Son Shawn Cooper (Nicole), Granddaughters Maci, Gianna and Taryn Cooper, Sister Pam Jessee and brother William Cooper (Robyn). Nephews Jerry Jessee (Kristi), Chris Cooper (Amanda), Nieces Nicole Fontes (Seraphin), Ashley Sestini (Tyler) and 10 great niece and nephews
A Memorial Service will be held at Connecting Point Church on May 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM, 3200 East Monte Vista Ave, Denair CA.
Condolence(1)-
Gordy Fredeen says
May 14, 2025 at 10:54 amI have a huge sense of loss. Though it has been years since we last had contact, I have many great memories from our time together at MVC playing softball together but, most importantly, his time as LL coach when he drafted and coached my sons Todd and Joe as they played on International Paper. Coop was the best. He taught baseball fundamentals but more importantly, sportsmanship. He had a positive impact on hundreds of kids during his many years of LL service. He will be greatly missed. A LL field should be re-named in his honor.