Lewie Claud Cooper, a resident of Turlock, CA, passed away peacefully at his home on New Year’s Day. He was 86 years old. 

Lewie was born in Kellyville, OK to Floyd and Mattie Cooper. Raised in Oklahoma, he spent his early years in his home state and San Jose, CA, before attending Sunnyvale High School.

While living in Sunnyvale, Lewie worked at a nursey before moving to Turlock to work on the family dairy on Ruble Road. Lewie went  on to work as a custodian, devoting 24 years to his occupation with various schools, including Turlock High, Chatom and Mt. View schools, and Roselawn High School. A hardworking man, Lewie held down several jobs simultaneously throughout his working years and, a few years before his retirement, he managed the bus garage at Chatom School. 

Lewie married the love of his life, JoAnn Cooper of Turlock, on August 6, 1976. After retiring in 1996, Lewie spent the next five years extensively planning a vacation for him and JoAnn to travel across the United States in their motorhome. After JoAnn’s retirement in 2001, they hit the road. 

Along with his loving parents, Lewie was preceded in death by his two brothers, Jess and Edward Cooper, and two grandsons, Chad and Shannon Mercer. 

Lewie leaves behind his loving wife of 44 years, JoAnn Cooper of Turlock; daughter, Sharon (Marty) Beavers of OK; son, Mike (Linda) Cooper of OK; son, Bruce (Cyndy) Elliott of Modesto; daughter, Gaye (Robert) Nelson of Hilmar; and daughter, Cindi Elliott of Modesto. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Chelcie (Zach) Wirth of CO, Corbin (Kaylin) Beavers of OK, Michael (Milly) Cooper of OK, Brieanna Cooper of OK, Joshua Cooper of OK, Kristy (Tim) O’Reilly of Turlock, Steven Blades of AK, Logan (Lacy) Elliott of Turlock, Jason (April) Blades of Turlock, JC (Leslie) Elliott of Stockton, Missi (Dominic) Giorgi of Oakdale, Caitlin Garcia of AK, and Ryan Wilcox of AK; along with 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. 

A viewing will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by the Funeral service at 2 p.m., on Friday, January 15, 2021, at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. Following the funeral, interment will be held at Turlock Memorial Park. 

Memorial donations can be made in his name to the St. Jude Foundation at www.stjude.org/donate.