Mr. Thomas E. Cooper, age 67, formerly of Pinehurst, GA, passed away on Monday evening, January 16, 2017, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, FL.

Born in Albuquerque, NM, he was the son of the late Bill and Gladys Cooper of Pinehurst, GA.  He graduated from Unadilla High School in Unadilla, Georgia, Class of 1967.  After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  In 1969, he married Diane Roberts; also from Pinehurst.  Mr. Cooper retired as a SMSgt after serving 22 1/2 years in the US Air Force. He proudly served in the Security Police and then as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI).  After retiring, he worked as a Loss Prevention Manager for Home Depot and Costco.  In 2007, he and his wife moved to Yulee, FL, to be near their two daughters.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Snelling and Kathryn Roberts, and a sister-in-law, Mary Maude Branch, all of Pinehurst, GA.

Mr. Cooper leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Diane Roberts Cooper of Yulee, FL; their two daughters, Kim Cooper Wadley (Chris) and Lori Cooper Scott (Jarrod); and their grandchildren, Lex Wadley, Hannah Scott and Hailey Scott, all of Jacksonville, FL.  He is also survived by his brother, Jim Cooper (Sherry), Alamogordo, NM and sisters-in-law, Patsy Roberts Ponder (Gary), Lilburn, GA and Carole Roberts Yeager, Newnan, GA.

His family will receive friends on Monday, January 23, 2017, from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 p.m. at Oxley Heard Funeral Home, Fernandina Beach, FL.

The procession will assemble and depart from the funeral home at 1:15 p.m.

Funeral services will follow at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, at Jacksonville National Cemetery, Jacksonville, FL.   Mr. Cooper will be laid to rest with full military honors accorded by the United States Air Force Ceremonial Detail, Moody Air Force Base, GA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring, 1348 S. 18th Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034

Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com

OXLEY – HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS