Cleveland "Cleve" Cooper

Cleveland "Cleve" Cooper, 61, of Drexel passed away Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Morganton in June 28, 1951, he was the son of Josie Cooper Speas and the late Nathan Cooper. Cleve attended Morganton High School, the Patterson School, and Western Piedmont Community College before entering the U.S. Army. While in the Army, he served tours of duty in both Germany and Vietnam.After his service in the Army, Cleve returned to Morganton, where he worked in various construction and maintenance jobs until his health forced his early retirement. He was a skilled and talented craftsman who continued to do woodworking and machine work as a hobby. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and golf.In addition to his mothers, Cleve is survived by his wife, Mary Crooks Cooper of the home; three brothers, Joseph "Joe" Cooper and his wife, Elizabeth, of Morganton, John Cooper of Lake Wylie, SC, and Hal Cooper of Drexel; and six nephews and nieces.The graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2012 at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Taber officiating. Military honors will be provided by the N.C. National Guard and the Buncombe County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.