Cooper, Thomas Ray (Athens)

Thomas Ray Cooper, 81, of Athens, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at NHC Healthcare of Athens. He was born in Sweetwater, son of the late Thomas Brown Cooper and Johnnie Mae Jayne Cooper.

Ray was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed his hunting trip to Alaska. Thomas retired from Thomas & Betts after 34 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda Cooper, and stepsons, Brian, Scotty and Allen.

Survivors include his son, Randall Cooper (Sandra), of Sweetwater; sisters, Carol Ellison (Nathaniel), of Sweetwater, Jean Thomas, of Englewood; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and cousins; and brothers-in-law, Donald Coleman and Melvin Coleman.

Special thanks to Hospice nurses, Sheila, Carlee and all those who took care of him.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 18 at 1:30 p.m. at Clearwater Baptist Church Cemetery, with procession leaving Companion Funeral Homes, 400 S. White St. in Athens at 12:30 p.m. Hospice chaplain Joe Kemper will be officiating the service.