Ralph Cooper

Ralph E. "Sonny" Cooper Jr., 73, of 1823 North State Road 67, Vincennes, passed away at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at his residence. He was born April 27, 1941 in Vincennes to Ralph and Clara (Auberry) Cooper Sr. Sonny enlisted in the Navy in 1960 and served on the USS Constellation Aircraft Carrier from June 1, 1961 through December 13, 1963 and then served in the Naval Reserve until 1965. Upon returning back to Vincennes, he worked at Reynolds Springs Factory and Packaging Corporation starting as a printer and ending as a truck driver. From 1987 to present, he owned and operated Cooper's Bait Shop. Sonny graduated from Lincoln High School in 1959. He was an avid small game hunter and collector of Indian Artifacts. Fishing was his passion as he won a Ranger boat in the 1979 Indiana State Bass Championship and was a local supporter of the Bass club for adults and youth. Ralph also coached YMCA football, enjoyed golfing, and loved Indiana University Basketball. Surviving is his wife, Bonnie (Underhill) Cooper, whom he married on July 11, 1964; his sons, Dwayne Cooper and his wife Kathy of Indianapolis, Andrew Cooper and his wife Gisela of Vincennes, and Jeffrey Cooper of Vincennes; his brother, John Cooper of Fayetteville, GA; his half brothers, Steve and Danny Cooper of Vincennes; his grandchildren, Cassie, Sean, Jonathan, Nathan and Kaylyn Cooper; his step grandchildren, Kevin Arnold and Patrick Byers; and three great grandchildren, Nevaeh, Novalee, Dayton, plus one more on the way.He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Bob Cooper.A Celebration of Sonny's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday December 20, 2014 at Goodwin Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com