Lacey Dalton Cooper was born to William "Henry" and Elizabeth "Ruth (Stackhouse) Cooper on Saturday April 15th, 1933 in Tushka, Oklahoma. Lacey's childhood was spent exploring through the red clay hay pastures of Atoka country, hunting and fishing as often as he could and doing anything to avoid wearing shoes, except of course on Sundays for church. He could always be found to blame for a good practical joke, usually at the expense of his younger brother and many childhood friends. Lacey attended Atoka High School where he not only excelled in academics, as a member of the National Honor Society but also as an athlete. He lettered in Football, Basketball and Track; holding a few state records for a short time. He graduated from Atoka High School in 1949, continuing his education at Oklahoma State University where he was offered an academic and athletic scholarship for Football. Lacey attended Oklahoma State University in 1950, where he not only played football but was recruited to play on the Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team under the legendary coach, Henry Iba. After a sports injury, he returned home to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University. While at Southeastern, he continued his athletic career, playing both offense and defense for the Southeastern Savage's Football team. Lacey graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1953 with his bachelor's degree.

Before Lacey left the small town of Atoka, Oklahoma for the big city of Stillwater in 1949, he met a beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl from Caddo, Oklahoma; LaVerne Vivian White. Lacey always knew from the first time he saw her; she was the woman he was going to marry. After returning from Stillwater, Lacey and LaVerne said their "I Do's" on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at a local preacher's home in Durant, OK on August 24th, 1952. It wasn't but a year later, Lacey was drafted into the United States Army, where he served 2 years in Alaska, with LaVerne by his side. After leaving the United States Army, Lacey and LaVerne returned to Oklahoma where they both excelled in their careers in the education field. LaVerne as a school secretary and Lacey as a Regional School Book salesman with the Silver Burdett & Ginn company, authoring and publishing math workbooks.

On March 24th, 1960, their family grew with the wonderful addition of their first daughter, Carla (Cooper) Ward. Two short years later, their family was complete on April 3rd, 1962, when Connie (Cooper) Howard was born. Lacey loved both his daughters dearly, spending time with them as often as he could between his work travels. Lacey never grew out of his prankster ways, as he was always teaching his daughters valuable lessons about life with good jokes and fun. Lacey loved to watch his daughters excel in their academics and sport pursuits.

Lacey's professional career as the Regional School Book salesman with the Silver Burdett & Ginn company, eventually led him to leave Atoka, OK and move East to New Jersey once Carla and Connie were grown. Later in life he became the Vice President of Open Court publishing, moving Laverne and him to Chicago. Lacey loved to travel and meet new and interesting people. Lacey and LaVerne were always taking trips to amazing places. Lacey's love for fishing and hunting meant many of their amazing trips were never far from a good bass lake or river, or a wooded mountain full of wildlife.

After an early retirement, Lacey and LaVerne moved back to Atoka, Oklahoma in the 1990s. Their family had grown with the addition of their four grandchildren Todd, Bronwyn, Samantha and Brock. Lacey loved his grandchildren and had a special bond with each of them. Lacey could always be found in the stands at their baseball, softball or basketball games; cheering them on and taking notes on how to help them improve their skills. If he wasn't in the stands of a sporting event, he could be found in a stand or blind on his hunting property North of Stringtown, Oklahoma or on his bass boat out on McGee Creek Lake. Lacey was an exceptional fisherman and hunter, who spent many hours in the woods or on the water with his family and many fishing and hunting friends. One of his greatest joys was spending time teaching his grandson's all the joys of hunting.

Lacey was a devout follower of Jesus Christ and advocate scholar of the Holy Bible. He was always very active with his Church of Christ family at Atoka Church of Christ, where he helped lead the Church Congregation as one of their Deacons for many years. Later in life, LaVerne and Lacey also became part of the Wapanucka Church of Christ. Lacey loved teaching Bible Class and sharing his faith and understanding of our purpose on Earth as Christians.

Lacey was an exceptional, knowledgeable and loving man. He spent the later years of his life at his home in Tushka, Oklahoma. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandson. His second love was being outdoors with a fishing pole in his hand or sitting in his deer blind. Anyone who knew Lacey will remember his laugh, his smile, one of his many jokes and that he loved Christ and his family above all. Lacey left for his final fishing and hunting adventure in the sky on Monday October 7th, 2024.

Lacey is survived by his Children, Carla Ward and husband Phillip, Connie Howard and husband Dwayne. His Grandchildren Todd Howard; Bronwyn Chapman and husband Jamie, Samantha Howard, Brockton Ward and his Great Grandson Pitch Howard. In addition to many nieces and nephews, other family members, hunting and fishing partners and many close friends.

Lacey was preceded in death by his mother and father, Henry and Ruth Cooper. His wife LaVerne Vivian Cooper and his brother Henry Cooper Jr. In addition to other family, hunting and fishing partners and close friends.

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Date of Services: A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM.

Place of Services: South Atoka Church of Christ.

CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET.  PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE

ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF

BROWN'S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK