Clarence Lee Cooper

Every time Clarence Cooper traveled he took the back roads, always looking to see what lay over the next hill, seeking new adventure and searching for something different.As a final trip he departed early Sunday morning, the 30th of July 2017 as he left this life to see what awaited in the next.  He was 78.Clarence was born July 17th, 1939 in Phoenix, Arizona to Jesse Cooper and Geneva Burkett.  He loved animals, raising raccoons, badgers, skunks and porcupines.  Storytelling came natural to him and many of his stories centered around his love of animals.  He graduated Phoenix Union High School in 1958.  Boy Scouts and close friends eventually led to his joining the Mormon Church in 1955.  Soon thereafter, he served a 2-1/2 year LDS mission in Uruguay and Paraguay.  Missionary work always remained in his blood and throughout his life he enjoyed sharing the joy of the gospel with others.  While on his mission he gained a loved of language and culture, which eventually influenced his schooling and career.  He was a remarkable Spanish linguist, spoke Navajo, and limited German.He graduated the University of Arizona and later finish a Masters Degree in Gunnison, Colorado.Clarence married Dona Lucille Johnson on the 28th of July 1967.Clarence is survived by his wife; their four sons:  Clint, Chad, Caleb and Curt; beautiful daughters-in-law and five wonderful grandchildren.  Mary Sue Rollins is his sole surviving sibling, along with Donna R. Cooper, his older brother, Jerry's, spouse.  Two daughters did not survive infancy, but were surely there to greet him as he stepped through the veil to the other side.Clarence had a career in education that took the family to all corners of Arizona and Oregon, where he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Germany with the Department of Defense and finally with The Defense Logistics Agency in Ogden, Utah where he retired.  His service with the Federal Government included a short stint with the US Army Reserves and The National Guard.His love of travel and adventure heavily influenced his sons.  He always said they were his lasting legacy.  As he got older, his stories got longer, better and often revolved around their exploits.  A short memorial service will begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the Lovelake Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 700 E. Lovelake Road in Taylor, Arizona.