BANGOR – Pastor J. Stephen “Steve” Cooper, 62, died Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at his home. He was born March 10, 1947, in Bangor, the son of Joseph and Barbara (Cromwell) Cooper. Steve graduated from James A. Hillhouse High School, New Haven, Conn., at age 14 and went on to attended Yale University through the Ulysses S. Grant program. Music was a large influence in his life. He entered the U.S. Air Force at age 17. Steve was a member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – NAACP and founder of the recycling program at University of Maine, Orono. He will always be remembered as a world traveler and dedicated servant to the Lord, Jesus Christ. In addition to his father, Steve is survived by his brother, Richard Cooper of New Haven, Conn.; children, Terry Lynch and Richie of Bangor, Stacey Cooper of New Haven, Conn., James Cooper Jr. of New Haven, Conn., Tammy McKeen of Topsham, Adam Cooper of New Haven, Conn., and Tonya Bergeron and her husband, Mark, of Greenfield; grandchildren, Sarah, Apreia, Richie, Alaysia, Nichole, Cody, Zachary, Alissa, Jamelie, Nicholas and Brenda; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and special friends, Jan Lynch, Ben Cooper, Jimmie McKeen, MaryAnne and Jesse Parks, Chuck Abbot, Stacie Rundlett and her family, Annie Cooper, Larry and Sandra Kitchen, the whole Liberty family, Gessie, Alex and Stanley. In addition to his mother, he was predeceased by his wife, Brenda (Powers) Cooper; brother, Ronald Cooper; grandson, Charles Abbot; mother-in-law, Fern Kimball; and best friend, Wayne Fort. A service of remembrance will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 3, at Calvary Chapel, 154 River Road, Orrington. Interment will be private. Those wishing to remember Steve in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the scholarship fund at Calvary Chapel, 154 River Road, Orrington, ME 04474. Arrangements by Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
PASTOR J. STEPHEN ‘STEVE’ COOPER
