Richard Hardy Cooper, Sr.

Richard Hardy Cooper, Sr.

Aiken--A celebration of life service for Mr. Richard Hardy Cooper, Sr., age 68 will be held 5:30 pm Thursday February 1, 2018 at the Big Red Barn on Chime Bell Church Road with Pastor Wayne Cheselka officiating.  Military honors will be accorded by the U.S. Air Force ceremonial team.  Interment will be held at a later date.  Mr. Cooper entered into rest Saturday January 27, 2018 at Anchor Rehab, Aiken.  He  was a native of Memphis, TN and was a life long resident of Aiken County.  He was the husband of the late Mrs. Melvis Smith Cooper and a son of the late Mr. J.W. Cooper and the late Mrs. Annie Mae Broxton Cooper.  Mr. Cooper was a master meat cutter for over 30 years in the Edgefield, Augusta, and Aiken Area.  He also drove for the Wise Potato Chip Company for 12 years.  Mr. Cooper was very active in the Sons of Confederate Reenactment of the Battle of Aiken where is was former Treasurer and sold  many souvenirs  there over the years, and riding his Harley Davidson Heritage 1340 motorcycle. He was a member of the Dixie Thunder Abate, for 10 years where he held many positions in both organizations,  and was avid Gamecock Fan supporting the University of South Carolina.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  Mr. Cooper was a communicant of St. Mary help of Christians Catholic Church and attended the Midland Valley Church of the Nazarene.  Survivors include one son, Richard Hardy "Bo" Cooper, Jr., Aiken; two daughters, Carrie (Shawn) Bowden, Aiken, Elizabeth "Beth" (Patrick) Laorenza, Aiken; two brothers, John W. Cooper, Lexington, SC, David Gerald Cooper, Augusta, GA; one sister Jwann Cooper, Aiken; seven grandchildren, Adam Jackson, Kyle Jackson, Jake Laorenza, Justin Laorenza, Patrick Laorenza, Amanda Sweeney, and Brandon Bowden; his 1st wife Mrs. Liz Godard, Aiken.   Mr. Cooper was also predeceased by one brother, Anthony Cooper.   A visitation with the family will take place following the service at the Big Red Barn.  COLE FUNERAL HOME 1544 UNIVERSITY PARKWAY (118 BY-PASS) AIKEN, SC, 29801. 803-648-7175. Please sign the online registry at www.colefuneralhomeinc.com.