Cooper, Leon H.

Leon H. Cooper, 92, of rural Iowa City, also known as “2 by 4” by many, died Monday, April 18, 2011, at Mercy, Iowa City. Leon's family will welcome friends at their home located at 4343 Oakridge Trail NE, Iowa City, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Memorial services will be held in July (to be announced) at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City, with the Rev. Karl Divine-Koch officiating.

Memorial donations can be made in Leon's memory to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Leon Harold Cooper was born Nov. 20, 1918, in rural Worth County, Iowa, the son of Loyd and Oline (Myre) Cooper. Growing up near Kensett, Iowa, he graduated from high school there. He worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at the Beeds Lake State Park, near Hampton, after high school. On July 4, 1941, Leon married Portia L. Showers of Iowa City in Albert Lea, Minn. The couple moved to this area in 1943, where Leon was employed for a short time with the Rock Island Railroad in Cedar Rapids. He then began a career in carpentry with McCreedy Construction that spanned over three decades.

In the mid 1970s, he decided he could be his own boss, and many from this area have appreciated that decision years ago. He was known not only for his expert carpentry work, but for his quirky grin, a great sense of humor that was revealed in this kind gentle man, that many have known and loved.

Embraced by his loving family is his wife of nearly 70 years, Portia; their children, Patricia L. Jabusch of Godfrey, Ill., Paul S. Cooper of Iowa City, Carol A. Cooper of Wasaga Beach, Ontario, and Susan D. Cooper of Iowa City; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Arlene Dishon.