Obituary of Roger Ray Cooper

Roger Ray Cooper Age 79 of Horseheads, New York, passed away Friday, October 3, 2014. Roger was born on January 10, 1935, son of the late Ray Sweet Cooper and Dorothy Toor Cooper. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his grandson, Thomas Richard Carrier, Jr. Roger is survived by his wife, Mary Jane (Pysher) Cooper, and were to celebrate 51 years of marriage this October 12th; his children, Kathleen (Thomas) Carrier of Horseheads, NY, Patricia Klawonn of Knoxville, TN, and Nancy (Sean) Ryan of Webster, NY; grandchildren, Matthew Klawonn, Olivia Klawonn, Joshua Ryan and Gracie Ryan. Roger graduated from Horseheads High School in 1952 and went on to earn a BA from Cornell University in 1956 (where he played saxophone for Cornell's Big Red Band), and a Law Degree from Syracuse University in 1959. His professional legal experience spanned 47 years, beginning with Kenneth L. Shull Law Offices in Horseheads, NY. He then went on to found the Roger R. Cooper Law Office in Horseheads where he was Sole Practitioner from 1972 - 1995, and then Senior Partner and Of Counsel for Cooper and Pautz Law Office. Roger also practiced Title and Abstracting for 28 years and was the Town of Horseheads Justice of the Peace for 32 years and Horseheads Village Justice for 15 years. He was a member of several Legal Associations including the New York State Bar Association, Chemung County Bar Association (President 1994), Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity and the New York State Magistrates Association. Civic activities were also important to Roger as he was a Life Member of Kiwanis Club International, was a Charter Member of the Kiwanis Club of Horseheads (President from 1971-1972) and served as Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis' Chemung Division from 1976-1977. Roger also served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Team Leaders Council of the United Methodist Church of Webster, NY. An avid sports fan, Roger loved his Syracuse Orangemen, Atlanta Braves, and Detroit Lions. He especially loved rooting for the Orange - GO SU! Private services will be held at the Barber Funeral Home, Horseheads, with interment in Maple Grove Cemetery in Horseheads. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kiwanis Club of Horseheads, P. O. Box 239, Horseheads, NY 14845 www.barberfuneralhome.com