Rufus Harold “Ken” Cooper
May 16, 1931 – February 20, 2023
Rufus H. Cooper, affectionately known as Ken, passed away at the age of 91 at his home on Monday, February 20, 2023, surrounded by family.
Ken was born on May 16, 1931 in Chunchula, Alabama, one of five children born to Andrew Boyd Cooper and Mary Parnell Cooper. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force having honorably served his country and fellow man from July 10, 1948 until July 9, 1952. In Ken’s early years he was a professional wrestler with Gulf Coast Wrestling, which he did for 14 years. He later went to work selling Mobile Homes and eventually opened Cooper’s Mobile Housing in Bayou Vista. Ken enjoyed woodworking, building all kinds of furniture and children’s toys. He especially enjoyed fishing and will be remembered for his coordination of Wild Game Supper Nights at Bayou Vista Baptist Church, of which he was a longtime member, and giving out his Jesus coins. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to have known him.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his daughters, Tina Cooper and Donna Cooper Hood, both of Houston, TX, Jennie Arnold and her husband Tom of Chatsworth, GA, Christine Skaggs and her husband Dwayne of Columbia, MS, Alison Landry and her husband Chris of Lafayette, LA, and Pamela Cooper and Barbara Cooper, both of Florida; grandchildren, Ashley Brumback, Christopher Littlefield, Caylyn Hood, Bridgette Fuselier Broussard, Jason Hathaway, Melissa Williams, Barret Scarbrough, Ashley Willis, Cody Scarbrough, Victoria Landry, and Danielle Landry; as well as numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Ray Ann Hotard Cooper; his son, Terry Lee Williams; his parents, Andrew Boyd Cooper and Mary A. Parnell Cooper; as well as by his siblings, William Clarence Cooper, James Raymond Cooper, Boyd Clyde Cooper, and Shirley Louise Harrison.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Bayou Vista Baptist Church, with Rev. Steven Kelly officiating. Visitations will be held at the church on Friday, February 24, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again Saturday from 9:00 AM until time of service. Following the funeral service, he will be laid to rest with Military Honors in the St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum. Those serving as pallbearers will be Christopher Littlefield, Michael Kidder, David Webber, Cody Scarbrough, Barret Scarbrough, James Schillinger, Jamie Jackson, and Tony Kidder, with Tommy Clark as honorary pallbearer.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to his church, Bayou Vista Baptist Church, 411 Field Road, Morgan City, LA 70380.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.