Gerald Leslie Cooper, Jr.

COOPER JR. — Gerald (Jerry) L. Cooper, “Coop,” passed away November 5, 2022 at the age of 51. A career firefighter and paramedic, he was the Assistant Chief at Sycamore Township Fire Department, and had been employed there since 1996. He dedicated his life to saving others and was passionate about their safety and well-being. Jerry began his service in 1987 at the Milford Community Fire Department (Chief John E. Cooper, Sr. Fire Station 71) in Milford, Ohio as a cadet. He invested in the future fire community and served as an adjunct instructor at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 2007-2012, educating and motivating firefighting students. Jerry earned his Associate of Applied Science in Fire Safety and Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati in 2011.

He didn’t know a stranger, and even introduced himself saying, “I’m Jerry, but you can call me Coop.” Passionate about staying connected with everyone he met, he spent countless hours selflessly investing in others’ lives. He loved to laugh and spend time with his beloved Yorkie Millie Leen Cooper.

Jerry is preceded in death by his mother Colleen (Cochran) Heuser and his mother-in-law Deborah (Liggett) Rockey. He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 15 years Traci (Tudor) Cooper; dear twin daughters Molly & Madison Cooper; devoted father Gerald L. Cooper, Sr. (Barbara); loving brothers David (Leslie) Cooper and Brad (Jenny) Cooper; adoring step-father Robert (Diane) Heuser; caring in-laws Bill (Theresa) Tudor and Robert Rockey; step-siblings Jeff Patton, Jerry (Lori) Patton, Jennifer (Ralph) Case, Jill (Greg) Trigg, Jeff Heuser and Carrie (Kelly) Heuser; brother-in-law Ryan Tudor; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Jerry was a resident of Cold Spring, Kentucky. Funeral services are being held at Evans Funeral Home, 741 Center Street, Milford, Ohio. The family will greet friends Friday, November 11th from 5–7 pm at the funeral home. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 am at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Reset Ministries, 841 Isabella Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071 or the Milford Community Firefighters Club, 687 B, US Route 50, Milford, Ohio 45150.