Robert "Bob" Joseph Cooper

Robert Joseph “Bob” Cooper, 86 of Salem, Arkansas, passed away, Sunday, September 22, 2019 at Fulton County Hospital in Salem.

He was born on October 26, 1932, son of the late Edward and Ida Pearl (Alexander) Cooper in Breckenridge, Texas. Bob married the late Gwendolyn R. Waltenburg on June 16, 1984 in Imperial Beach, California. He served our country in the United States Army as a Military Police. Robert served 25 years in law enforcement with the Chula Vista Mounted Police and a with the National City Police Department as a Patrolman and Burglary Detective. Bob had a musical career of 50 years and played with various bands in California and Arkansas. He played with the Hardy Junction House Band, The Putter Palace Pickers, The Oldies but Goodies, Southern Missouri Bluegrass Band on TRI Mountain TV and The George D. Hay Society of West Plains. Bob also played for many live square dances and danced with many clubs in California and with the Mammoth Springers in Arkansas. In 2012, Robert gave up music and said, “he just got tired of it”. Bob was president of PORAC and was a member of The Republican Party of Salem, The Patriots of Salem, The Blue Lodge of Masons in Salem and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Member. He was a member and former greeter at Salem First Baptist Church.

Bob is survived by his brothers, Troy Cooper of La Mesa, California and Virgil Cooper and wife Lana of Dawson Springs, Kentucky; five step-children, Robert R. Surber and wife Rhonda of California, Michael C. Surber and wife Rosa of California, Linda Marie Casey and husband Raymond of Salem, Sharon Shelton and husband Jerry of Salem and Susan L. Montejano and husband Keith of California; several “dear verbally adopted”, Cindy Morse and husband Steve of California, Trish Smith and husband Larry of Camp and Phyllis Turner of Salem; 20 grandchildren, Kellie Casey-McCullough, Kathy Smith and husband Jacob, Tyler Casey and fiancé Ashley Wright, Kapoleon McNeace, Shane McNeace, Mona McNeace, Katrina McNeace and husband Marc Barnes, David Armstead, Anthony Armstead and wife Corrina, Aaron Surber, Carly Maganuco and husband Alessandro, Michelle Schrader and husband Stephen, Brian Surber, Michael S. Surber and wife Cassandra, Scott Surber, Phillip “Chip” Snoddy and wife Kristie, Brandon Snoddy and fiancé Cassie Larsen, Gary Rudisill, Nicole “Nikki” Canizalez and husband Carlos, Victoria “Tori” De La Trinidad and husband Kel; many others that have accepted him as their grandpa; great grandchildren, Calvin Smith, Lydia Smith, Eli McCullough, ZoeyAnn McNeace-Roberts, Sebastian McNeace-Barnes, Noah Schrader, Cora Schrader, Skyla Schrader, Cheyanne Armstead, Anthony Armstead, Trevor Snoddy and Olivia Larsen and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gwendolyn Cooper; parents, Edward and Ida Cooper; sister, Florence Kloberdanz; brother, Thomas Norman Cooper and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers include: Jacob Smith, Jason Miller, Joshua Smithee, Billy Defoe, David Ennis and Joshua Wallace

Honorary Pallbearers include: Troy Cooper, Virgil Cooper, Don Sanders, Larry Smith and Jerry Shelton

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Salem First Baptist Church – Playground Fund, P.O. Box 737, Salem, Arkansas 72576

Funeral services will be Thursday, September 26, 2019 beginning at 10:00 AM at Salem First Baptist Church in Salem with Bro. John Hodges officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 25, 2019 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Doty Family Funeral Service Chapel in Salem, Arkansas. Burial will follow services at Salem Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Doty Family Funeral Service of Salem, Arkansas.