Russell G. Cooper Obituary
A memorial visitation will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 805 S. Jefferson, Hastings, MI, 49058, with Fr. Jeff Hanley officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Russ' memory to Corewell Health's Meijer Heart Center and/or Barry County Animal Shelter.
Meijer Heart Center: Give online @ https://give.corewellhealth.org, or mail checks to the Corewell Health Foundation (with Meijer Heart Center in the memo) West Michigan office at 25 Michigan St. NE, Suite 4100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Barry County Animal Shelter: Give online @ https://www.barrycf.org, or mail checks payable to "Barry Community Foundation" (with Barry County Animal Shelter in the memo) to 231 S. Broadway St., Hastings, MI 49058.
Russ Cooper didn't quite make it to his 84th birthday last week, but he certainly made the most of the 83 years he had. A man who always had a story ready and a boat waiting at the dock, Russ suddenly passed away on February 24, 2026, while in Florida enjoying warmth and sunshine with his wife, Barb.
Born in Chicago in 1942, Russ grew up with the grit of a Calumet High School athlete. He eventually traded the city for Michigan, graduating from Western Michigan University and settling into a career that defined his character. As an educator, coach, Assistant Principal, and Counselor at Parchment Schools, "Mr. Cooper" was a fixture in the halls and on the sidelines – coaching football, basketball, and baseball – guiding countless students and athletes through their formative years. Known as "Coop" to his friends, he led the Community Open-Gym Morning Program for 33 years, ensuring the gym stayed a hub for the community he loved. In 2023, his decades of service to education and athletics was honored with his induction into Parchment's Hall of Fame.
In Richland, Russ was the ultimate dad, rarely missing a game, activity, or event as he raised his children. Many days were spent at the backyard pool or playing catch in the front yard with his kids. Later in life, he found his sanctuary on Long Lake Cloverdale in Delton. If the sun was out, you could usually find him on the water with family and friends or enjoying a quiet moment at home with Barb. He had a refined palate for bourbon, an endless appetite for travel and adventure, and would enjoy a chocolate milkshake, Baby Ruth candy bar, or Good & Plenty licorice. Despite an occasional drink and a sweet tooth, physical fitness was a big part of his life, playing many sports, running road races, bowling, playing softball, and even lifting weights at the YMCA up until the end. But most of all, he was happiest when surrounded by his family and friends.
Russ is survived by his wife, Barb (Teel) Cooper; his children, Christine (Gary) Gaudard, Todd (Dustin Shaffer) Cooper, Colleen (Thomas) Kish, and Andrew (Sarah) Cooper; and his stepchildren, Luke (Brittney) Penskar and Annie (Ryan) Luoma. He was the proud Grandpa of Patrick, Paige, Pete, Ellie, Sam, Gellért, Sándor, Brady, Addie, Dexter, Calvin, Wesley, and Emily, and a great-grandfather to Sutton and Maxwell. He was a brother to Jean Cooper Donohue. He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Dorothy Cooper, and granddaughter, Marcy Inez Gaudard.
