Lonnie Dale Cooper

Lonnie Dale Cooper, 75, of Hopewell, VA, died October 24, 2023, following a yearlong battle with renal cancer. Born in Roanoke, VA, he later moved with his family to Prince George, VA where he lived until graduation from Prince George High School.
He was the son of the late Mabel Adkins Blevins and Clarence Edsel Cooper. He was preceded in death by his brother Clarence David Cooper and sister Wanda W. Cannon.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Thelma Francis Cooper of Hopewell; his son, Brian Dale Cooper (Julie) of Prince George; grandson, Bradley Dale Cooper (fiancée Ashlyn O. Smith) of Raleigh, N.C.; brother, Gary Edsel Cooper of Upper Marlboro, MD.; sister, Anita Louise Lee of Prince George, as well as several nieces and nephews; a loving "adopted daughter," Elizabeth Hayes Holland (Danny) and a devoted "fur" son, John Henri Dale Cooper; as well as many devoted and supportive employees and friends. You guys were his family.

Upon graduation from high school, he worked for Allied Signal, Inc. until he became interested in the construction industry, first working at Greenbank Services, Inc. in Hopewell. While working there he pursued further education in construction engineering and estimation at John Tyler Community College. He was later hired by F.O. Powers Excavating as a construction superintendent. In October 1983, he partnered with his wife, Thelma, to establish Cooper & Claiborne Construction, Inc. where he was still active at the time of his death.

He was an active board member of the Hopewell Port & Dock Commission, the Hopewell Yacht Club,James River Ball Patrons Committee and Pacific South Condominium Association in Virginia Beach.

He was also a proud member of the Hopewell Saltwater Anglers Club and Walker's Gym where he competed in many bench press meets. There was no place on earth he would rather be than on the ocean at the helm of his boat, the Green-Eyed Girl.

His lesson for us all would be to always be true to ourselves, to laugh at our flaws, to appreciate the special people in our lives and most importantly to never apologize for who we are. He gave the best of what he had to his friends and the community he lived in. His hospitality was always over the top and he was generous to a fault. A compliment from Lonnie was truly special because he always said exactly what he meant! Anyone who knew Lonnie well would say his was a life well lived to its own music.

A celebration of his life will be held at The Barns of Kanak, 5503 Ruffin Rd., Prince George, VA on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sanctuary Rescue, 1519 Huguenot Rd., Suite 105, Midlothian, VA.