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.
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Lee Marchant says
May 19, 2025 at 12:32 pmPaul Cooper was such a great kind person who we will miss but we will not forget. My first memory of Paul was when I played little league in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s when he was coaching back then. We would volunteer at the annual little league breakfasts & other fundraisers always willing to help in any ways we could. Other great memories I have of him were when I was in high school and getting into umpiring of little league games he was kind, encouraging and such a positive role model. He would even pull me off to the side and give me tips on how to better my umpiring skills. Then when it was time for me to volunteer and start coaching my own son at the age of 7 years old he once again was pleased that I was continuing to giving back to the little league program. The most memorable moment that I will never forget was sometime back around 2007, Paul would offer to take my mother Louise Marchant down to Madera to watch the little league all-star team. I remember my mother telling me that she loved Paul as a person and for all the years he dedicated his time to the Turlock Little League program. We all as a family really appreciated Paul for doing that for her. My mother loved to watch the kid play baseball and all sports.
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.