Denver E. Cooper - A Tall Cedar by David R. Kenney

Warren F. Kenney, Denver E. Cooper & David R. Kenney at the International Gospel Hour Dinner during the 2011 Freed-Hardeman University Bible Lectureship



Charles Pugh III, Denver E. Cooper and Terry Varner at the West Virginia School of Preaching Lectureship in October 2014.  Both brother Pugh and Varner spoke eloquently of their dear brother and fellow-laborer.



Group of 32 preachers who attended the funeral of our fellow soldier, Denver E. Cooper on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 including Denver's brother, Donald C. Cooper who is in the front row on the right.  Next to Don Cooper is Denver Cooper's son and gospel preacher, Eddie Cooper.

 

Denver E. Cooper -- A Tall Cedar

 

by David R. Kenney

 

 Several gathered on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, but the winter snow/ice storm of 2015 prohibited several from the South from coming, including family, who were saddened to miss this time to honor someone who has made great contributions to the cause of Christ.  Charles Pugh III and Terry Varner both delivered thoughtful addresses in tribute to their co-laborer in the Gospel.

 

Charles Pugh quoted Tolbert Fanning's statement about having a balanced view on honoring those who have gone on before us.  He quoted Tolbert Fanning as stating "It is wrong to idolize men, but to permit godly persons to pass from earth without reference to their good works is equally wrong."  (As quoted by Dabney Phillips, "Pioneers That Conquered," Gospel Advocate, Vol. 122, No. 10, 15 May 1980, p. 305.)  Pugh reminded those listening that the great king David once said of one of his servants, Abner, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Samuel 3:38, NKJV).  Indeed.  Denver Cooper was a tall cedar in our presence. 

 

Denver Emmett Cooper came into this world on April 2, 1923 in Cairo, WV, and he departed on February 17, 2015 from Wheeling, WV.  The Lord blessed brother Denver with longevity to see his family grow to 24 grandchildren and 46 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Florence Smith Cooper.  The family of Denver and Florence included four daughters and five sons.   His brother, Don R. Cooper, commented that he and his brother were ten years and a day apart from being twins.  The funeral was held at the Hillview Terrace Church of Christ building where both Denver and Don had both once served as ministers.

 

Denver was a gospel preacher having preached over 70 years.  Not only did he preach, he also devoted a large part of his life in the training of preachers to take the work forward.  At the age of 80, he assumed the position of Director of the West Virginia School of Preaching, and he served for nine years in that capacity until his retirement in 2012. He was a solid believer in Christian Education, even serving as an Interim President for Ohio Valley College (now University) in 1964.

 

Terry Varner well summed up the tributes to this tall cedar when he said "On 19 April 1951, General Douglas MacArthur addressed both sessions of Congress closing his address with the words: 'Old solders never die, they just fade away.' Old soldiers of the cross never die they enter into 'an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven' (1 Peter 1:4; cf. John 11:25-26)."

Certainly, Denver's example of faithful service to the Lord He served is an example worthy of imitation.  He awaits for us on the other side of the Jordan along with other tall cedars we adore.


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DENVER COOPER

Denver Emmett Cooper, Sr. 91, of Sandy Avenue, Moundsville, WV, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2105, at Liza’s Place in Wheeling, WV.

He was born April 2, 1923, in Cairo, WV, the son of the late Jesse Reed Cooper and Sarah (Eddy) Cooper.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence (Smith) Cooper, one daughter, Doris Cooper, and one grandson, Daniel Vilga, and one great-granddaughter, Andrea Vilga.

He is survived by three daughters:  Becky Messer of Weirton, WV, Martha (Bob) Noland of Ocala, FL, Denise (J. D.) Conley of Marietta, OH, five sons:  Edward (Barbara) Cooper, of South Charleston, WV, Denver Cooper, Jr., of Moundsville, WV, Kelly (Carol) Cooper of New Cumberland, WV, Tim Cooper, of Elm Grove, WV, Jesse (Phyllis) Cooper of Rockford, AL, and one brother, Donald (Jan) of Wadsworth, OH, 24 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Denver was a minister for the church of Christ, having preached for over 70 years, having been located in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.  He kept a busy gospel meeting schedule as well as speaking  on many lectureships in the Ohio Valley, Kanawha Valley, and at Freed Hardeman University in Henderson, TN.

Along with full-time preaching, in 1961, he was a Charter Member of the Board of Directors of Ohio Valley College (University), serving as acting president in 1964.  In 1994, he was instrumental in beginning the West Virginia School of Preaching in Moundsville, WV, and was one of the first faculty members of the school.  In 2003, at the age of 80 years old, he assumed the directorship of the school, retiring in 2012.

Friends will be received on Monday, February 23, 2015, from 2-8 p.m. at the Hillview Terrace Church of Christ, East Fourth Street, Moundsville, WV, where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, with Evangelists Charles Pugh III, and Terry Varner officiating, and Andrew Robison leading congregational singing.

Arrangements are entrusted by Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Moundsville, WV.

Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Garden in Parkersburg, WV.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Warren Christian Apologetics Center, P. O. Box 5434, Vienna, WV, 26105.