Laurence Cooper, 91

Laurence Leo Cooper, 91, of West Portsmouth, Ohio, died Saturday February 25th, 2012, at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. He was born December 21, 1920, in Rush Township, Scioto County, Ohio to the late William Laurence Cooper and Lucy Breckbuhler Cooper. He was the second of four children including Laura Cooper Brown, Jacqueline Cooper and Judith Cooper. Along with his parents, Leo was preceded in death by his son Larry Cooper, granddaughter Carrie Cooper, sisters Jackie Cooper and Laura Brown.

He served in the Army of the United States, 360th Air Service Group from 1942 to 1946. He received decorations including American Theatre Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon W/1 Bronze Stars, Philippine liberation Theatre Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Medal from his service in World War II. After his discharge, Leo established a used car dealership with Cooper and Tackett, later Cooper and Ferrell and finally Cooper Auto Sales in Portsmouth. After retirement from the used car business he began Cooper and Jewett Mobile Homes in West Portsmouth. He also developed several businesses in real estate and farming and was a local entrepreneur. Leo lived his life with the community of West Portsmouth Ohio. Leo was a longstanding member of Oldtown United Methodist Church in West Portsmouth. He was also a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau, Modern Woodmen of America and the American Legion. His passions included his family, hunting, fishing, and traveling the world with Cleo.

On June 29, 1940 he married the love of his life, Cleo Margaret Mitchell of West Portsmouth Ohio, who survives. Also surviving are sisters Judith Cooper and Kathleen Vernier of West Portsmouth; three grandchildren, Clinton (Tara) Cooper of San Diego, Calif; Lance Cooper of Columbus, Ohio: and Savannah Cooper of Chicago, Ill.; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Emmy Cooper of San Diego, Calif.; two nieces and one nephew all of the Columbus area; and his beloved dog Magic.
He will be loved and never forgotten.

Funeral services will 11:00 AM Saturday March 3, 2012 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Reverend Chris Wiseman officiating. Interment will be in Rushtown Cemetery with graveside military rites by the James Dickey Post #23 American Legion. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 7:00 PM on Friday and 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday. Thanks need to be extended to his caregivers, Pat Ratliff and Judy Gambill and special friend Jackie Servidea. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Leo's name to Oldtown United Methodist Church in West Portsmouth. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com