Allen Cooper

Allen Cooper was epitomized the best of the American spirit: he joined the U.S. Army for two years, he loved the outdoors and had a passion for cars, and he was an active member in his community; but most importantly, he was a loving husband and devoted father. Al was a man who cared for everyone he knew, and he expressed this care through his generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand.

Allen was born in Deerfield, Michigan, on December 14, 1931, during a difficult time in American history, the Great Depression. Despite the economic hardships of the era, Al’s parents, Clyde and Evelyn (Wessendorf) Cooper, tried hard to provide a healthy and stable home for their family. Al was the oldest of four children, and spent his growing up years in the Kalamazoo area. Sadly, his father died in 1935, when Al was only four. Like many boys of the time, he went to work at the age of 12 at the local A&W root beer stand to help provide for his family. It was here that Al developed a weakness for the famous Coney Island hot dogs, which followed him through life.

Al received the majority of his education in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. He completed his first three years of high school at Kalamazoo Central, but later transferred to Paw Paw High School for his senior year. He graduated here with the class of 1950. Through the years, Al attended several of his class reunions at Kalamazoo Central, where he maintained many lifelong friendships. It was during this time that Al met and married his first wife, Beatrice. During this marriage, Al was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Carol and Karen, who brought so much joy to his life.

In 1953, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as a Private First Class and with the Military Police before his honorable discharge in 1955. After returning home from the service, Al enrolled in classes at the Graduate School for Bankers in Madison, Wisconsin. After graduating, he returned to Michigan and started his career in banking with the First National Bank at the Gobles branch. He later transferred to the Otsego branch, where he eventually retired as Vice President/Manager after 22 years.

After some time, Al found and fell in love with Cynthia Boven Radcliffe. Cynthia was a realtor in the area and through his banking they met and found they had many of the same interests. They were married on October 1, 1977. Cynthia brought more than just her love into Al’s life; she had two children, Shannon and Ginger, of her own, which Al lovingly welcomed into his family and raised as his own.

Al loved being in the great outdoors pursuing many of his favorite pursuits, including hunting, fishing, golfing and snowmobiling. He had a real passion for cars, and a true soft spot for his beloved dog, Ruby. Al was also known to hit the dance floor a time or two, having the time of his life. Al and Cynthia lived on Pine Lake since 1982, where Al also served as President of the Pine Lake Association. In 1995, the couple started heading south for the winter to the sunshine and beaches of Clearwater, Florida. Unfortunately, Al had to slow down in the last few years because of his affliction with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Although his career and family kept him busy, Al always found time to be active in his community, where he served on several committees and organizations. He was a former President of the Otsego Chamber of Commerce and on the Planning Committee for the Otsego/Plainwell airport as well as for the moving of Pipp Hospital. For many years, Al was a devoted member of the Plainwell Rotary and faithfully attended meetings and activities every Thursday. He was also a member of the Otsego Moose Lodge, Delton American Legion and a 37-year member of the Elks Lodge BPOE 1711, where he enjoyed playing poker, participating with the drill team and, of course, socializing with his fellow Elks.

Al Cooper was one of those very special people you hope you have the good fortune to meet one day. He had such a warm and personable disposition, that everyone enjoyed talking to him. After a life filled with love and happiness and after battling illness since 1988, Al died peacefully at his Pine Lake home on Saturday, September 8, 2007.

Learn more about Al and visit with his family on Wednesday, September 12, at 3 p.m. at a graveside service held at Hillside Cemetery, followed by a memorial gathering, with details in the Monday’s Gazette. Al’s family includes his wife, Cynthia; children: Carol & Tom Winkel of Portage, Karen & Rich Harris of Plainwell, Shannon & Jennie Radcliffe of Otsego, and Ginger & Terry Erickson of Plymouth; grandchildren: Andy & Erin Winkel, Stephanie & Scott Ryan, Chelsea Harris, Cory Harris, Aaron Radcliffe, Zachery Radcliffe, Leah Radcliffe, Lauren Radcliffe, and Lilly Radcliffe; 4 great-grandchildren; siblings: Lois Morgan of Wyoming and Todd & Kathy Walker of Phillips, Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his dear friend and brother, Tom Walker, in 1992. Please visit Al’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kiddie Fund through the Otsego Elks, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Fund or the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.