Stewart 'Sam' Cooper

STEWART "SAM" COOPER

Ashland, Ore.

Stewart "Sam" Cooper, 83, passed away peacefully Monday, March 5, 2018, at his home in Ashland, Ore. Sam was born Jan. 14, 1935, to Sam and Esther Cooper.

Sam graduated from Roosevelt High School, Cedar Rapids, attended UC Santa Barbara and received his Master's in Art History from the University of Iowa. Sam served in the U.S. Navy and taught art at the high school and college level.

Sam was an exceptional artist and musician and had many trades and talents, including restoring antique cars and jewelry, sign making, and fixing all things while residing in California, Washington and Oregon.

Sam loved to travel and kept in close touch with friends and family in the U.S. and around the world. He especially loved attending his high school reunions, flea markets, car shows and any dance or music group.

Sam seemed to know everybody in the Ashland community because of his love for the arts, dance, music and showing off his beautiful antique cars. He had the ability to find joy in simple pleasures and his love for life was contagious to all who knew him. For the last several years, he generously opened his home each Sunday for friends to gather to dance and play music.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents and son, Jeff Cooper.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Missy Cooper, and their children, Max, Amanda and Alyssa; sister, Ann Cooper Culver and her children, Christina Culver (children, Gabe Mendola, Luke Mendola and Serena Mendola), Rebecca Culver Scoggin (husband, Matt, and daughter, Grace Scoggin), Catherine Culver Jungmann (husband, Tom, and daughters, Chandler White and Bailey White); nephew, Chet Culver (wife, Mari, and children, Clare Culver and John Culver); his sweetheart, Linda Goodyear Stevenson; several cousins; and many lovely friends.

Sam was a beautiful light in so many lives and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.