Edwin 'Eddie" Curtis Cooper

Edwin Curtis 'Eddie' Cooper, 76 of Massillon, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017. Edwin was born on November 18, 1940 in Charleston, WV the son of the late Ira and Kathleen (Brown) Cooper. Eddie grew up in Comfort, WV, where he was an outfielder for the Sherman High baseball team and a running back for the football team. He was also active in Drama Club and starred in the school musical during his senior year. He joined the U.S. Army in 1958 and became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division with 55 jumps. He also played both baseball and football during his Army years. After his years in the Army, Eddie married his childhood sweetheart and moved to Chicago, where they both worked for Brach's Candy factory. They later settled in Massillon, where they raised six children. He spent 17 years in the Ohio National Guard as a Scout and Tank Commander, retiring with the rank of Sergeant First Class in 1995. He worked for Babcock & Wilcox for 28 years. A lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants, Massillon Tiger Football, Louis L'Amour Westerns, and 500 rummy. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with his buddy, Walt, going to football games with his friend, Parnell and spending time with his family and friends. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Cora and brother, Donnie. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Zenith Sue (Meadows) Cooper; his children, Gary (Regina) Cooper, Deborah Cooper, Donna Parker, Gerald (Atlan) Cooper, Diane (Scott) Harter and Gregory Cooper; and grandchildren, Tony, Shelby, Hunter, Kelly, Nicole and Megan. A Celebration of Eddie's life will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the Paquelet Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 5-7 p.m. before the service. His final resting place will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory (330) 833-3222