Raleigh Lee Cooper, Jr.

Raleigh Lee Cooper, Jr., 88 of Danville, Indiana, passed away February 20, 2020 at his home.  He was born on February 18, 1932 in Cross City, Florida, to the late Sallie Corine Sheppard and Raleigh Lee Cooper, Sr.  Raleigh served with the United States Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1971 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer [E-8].  He went on to work as an electrician at the Litton Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi and the Auto Train in Sanford, Florida. Later he began his telecommunications career at Western Electric in Orlando, Florida and eventually retired from Northern Telecom [Nortel] in 1986.  Raleigh held a private pilot’s license and enjoyed trips across the United States in his Cessna.  He enjoyed horseback riding, scuba diving, boating, water skiing, fishing, playing baseball and camping.  Raleigh also spent many hours in his workshop, teaching and tinkering with his equipment and automobiles.

In November 1993 while attending a function at the Inter-Harbor Yacht Club in Florida, he met his wife of 26 years, Barbara C. Durfee. With shared faith and family values, Raleigh and Barb blended their families to a total of 12 children when they married on July 24th, 1994 in Madison, Florida. Later in 2001 they grew their family with the addition of 2 more sons and a daughter of their own. 

Preceding him in death were his mother, Sallie Corine Sheppard; father, Raleigh Lee Cooper, Sr.; Patricia Diane Cooper, sister; Gerald Cooper, brother; and TanyaLee Dunkle, stepdaughter.     

Survivors include his wife, Barbara C. Cooper of Danville; daughters, Sara Jane Cooper, Sandra Cooper, and Elizabeth Payne; stepdaughters, Melissa J. Chapman and Brandi C. Modesitt; sons, Taylor, Matthew, Tim, Randy, Jodi, Allen, Michael and Paul Cooper; stepson, Brad Vanderhoff; 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren:  brothers Ernest Cooper and Jerry Cooper.  Raleigh, Barb, and family attended the Hope Community Church in Brownsburg

Friends and family may call from 2:00-4:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 23, 2020 in Baker Funeral Home, Danville.  Services will follow at 4:00 P.M. in the funeral home with military honors to conclude his service.    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.  A Celebration of Life gathering will follow at Rickey’s Pancake House [formerly Ella’s] located at 1118 North Avon Ave., Avon, Indiana.  Online condolences may be made at www.bakerfuneralservice.com    

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