David William Cooper

David William Cooper, 74, of Pampa, passed away October 7, 2016 in Pampa. Services will be 10:00 AM Monday, October 10, 2016, at Central Baptist Church, with Rev. Norman Rushing, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors courtesy of the U. S. Navy. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Cooper was born January 14, 1942 in Electra to Tom and Eula Cooper. When he was 14, he worked at Woolworth as a stock boy. In 1960, he graduated through the U. S. Navy, enlisting for four years as an ordinance and guided missile man, second class. In 1962, he was at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. David served on the USS Saratoga, CVA-60. David married Reba Gail Hinkle on March 16, 1963 at Hobart Baptist Church in Pampa. He and Gail had one daughter born in August of 1964. She passed away in February of 1993 when she was 29 years of age. It took an aircraft accident, the loss of seven young friends and a hurricane to finally get David’s attention that the Lord saved him for a reason. He was saved and baptized in 1965 at 22 years of age. He worked for Winsor Oil, Cabot Engineering Company and Cabot R&D as a welder. He retired in 1997 when he was 55 years of age, after 32 years of service to Cabot Corporation. David’s hobbies consisted of sky diving, water skiing, and motorcycle riding. He and Gail traveled all over the United States on their Honda Gold Wing with their motorcycle club. David was a very honorable, caring and lovable person. He was a member and deacon of Central Baptist Church and he loved teaching his adult Covenant Sunday school class at the church. He will be missed by all who had the privilege to have known him. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Gail Cooper of the home; one granddaughter, Keziah Opal Bussell and husband Nate; one great grandson, Tanner Alexander Bussell; sister, Celia Sumpter; brother-in-law, Darrell Hinkle and wife Norma; a number of nieces, nephews, his adult Sunday school class at Central Baptist Church; and his dog and best friend, Tuxedo. Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, 513 E. Francis, Pampa, Texas 79065.