In Memory Of
Charles S. Cooper, Iii
1933
2022
Charles S. Cooper, Iii
December 27, 1933 — December 14, 2022
Charles S. "Charlie" Cooper III was born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 27th, 1933. The beloved only child of Mabel F. (Shilladay) Cooper and Charles S. Cooper, Jr., he grew up in Garden City, Long Island, New York. A dedicated student and servant leader, Charlie served as an altar boy at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation where he formed many life-long friendships. His time at Garden City High School was filled with friends and fun, ending as President of his Senior class.
The self-described '4 best years' of Charlie's life were 1951-55 attending Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Many moments of those years were likely living at the Chi Psi fraternity house. We know for certain that the pinnacle of his college career was marrying Karen Wroldsen, a high school classmate. Charlie graduated, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He also made a life-long commitment to the United States Air Force.
His first assignment was as an active-duty navigator on the EC-121 Constellation at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts. In 1960, Charlie left active-duty and began a civilian career as a manager with New York Telephone and follow-on organizations. His military experience and personality made him a natural leader. He oversaw telephone "operations" including the development of systems for managing lines and overseeing the telephone operators.
After settling into civilian life, Charlie joined the New York Air National Guard. Charlie served longest with the 102nd Rescue Squadron and its legacy units. Flying the C-97 and KC-97 as a Navigator, Charlie sacrificed long periods of free time transporting troops and cargo across the Pacific to Vietnam as a traditional Guardsman. Charlie served in the Guard from the early 1960's until 1991, in various positions culminating as a Major General commanding the New York Air National Guard. At the time, the New York Air National Guard was the largest Air Guard organization in the United States.
After his wife Karen passed away in 1988, Charlie married Ann (Lewis) and they started "fully-retired" life together in 1993. Moving to Dayton, Ohio, Charlie stayed close to his passion, the United States Air Force. He volunteered at the National Museum of the United States Air Force for over 20 years, starting as a tour guide eventually becoming a member of the museum's board. His fitness came from the long walks around the museum with visitors, friends, and family.
Charlie and Ann spent retirement writing, traveling, and speaking about aviation art. As members of the American Society of Aviation Artists, they attended EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they championed the work of dozens of aviation artists. They wrote several books together, skillfully blending history and aviation art: Tuskegee's Heroes: Featuring the Aviation Art of Roy LaGrone, (1995); How to Draw and Paint Aircraft Like a Pro (with Andy Whyte, 2002); War in Pacific Skies: Featuring the Aviation Art of Jack Fellows (2003); and Into the Sunlit Splendor: The Aviation Art of William S. Phillips (2005).
Charlie died quietly in his sleep on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022. He loved people, always sharing jokes, and thoroughly enjoyed time spent traveling to see his family and the world with his friends. Predeceased by both wives, Charlie spoke often of having been blessed with two long and happy marriages. He is survived by his four children: Deborah Iacoponi (Jim), Peter Cooper (Evelynn Eighmey), Thomas Cooper (Stefanie) and Kathryn Daley (Patrick); three step-children: Linda Barrett (Glenn), John Warriner (Amy), and Beth McClosky (Bill); 18 grand-children and two great grand-children all of whom mourn his passing but celebrate his life.
A memorial will be held at Southminster Presbyterian Church at 10:00 am on April 28th followed by a 2:00 pm inurnment at Dayton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Charlie's commitment to the Air Force should donate to the Development Department, Air & Space Forces Association, 1501 Langston Blvd Ste 400, Arlington, VA 22209. Please annotate a donation for "Gail & Mike Donley Spouse Scholarship".
To share a memory of Charlie with the family or to leave a special message, please click on the Share Memories button above.
The self-described '4 best years' of Charlie's life were 1951-55 attending Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Many moments of those years were likely living at the Chi Psi fraternity house. We know for certain that the pinnacle of his college career was marrying Karen Wroldsen, a high school classmate. Charlie graduated, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He also made a life-long commitment to the United States Air Force.
His first assignment was as an active-duty navigator on the EC-121 Constellation at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts. In 1960, Charlie left active-duty and began a civilian career as a manager with New York Telephone and follow-on organizations. His military experience and personality made him a natural leader. He oversaw telephone "operations" including the development of systems for managing lines and overseeing the telephone operators.
After settling into civilian life, Charlie joined the New York Air National Guard. Charlie served longest with the 102nd Rescue Squadron and its legacy units. Flying the C-97 and KC-97 as a Navigator, Charlie sacrificed long periods of free time transporting troops and cargo across the Pacific to Vietnam as a traditional Guardsman. Charlie served in the Guard from the early 1960's until 1991, in various positions culminating as a Major General commanding the New York Air National Guard. At the time, the New York Air National Guard was the largest Air Guard organization in the United States.
After his wife Karen passed away in 1988, Charlie married Ann (Lewis) and they started "fully-retired" life together in 1993. Moving to Dayton, Ohio, Charlie stayed close to his passion, the United States Air Force. He volunteered at the National Museum of the United States Air Force for over 20 years, starting as a tour guide eventually becoming a member of the museum's board. His fitness came from the long walks around the museum with visitors, friends, and family.
Charlie and Ann spent retirement writing, traveling, and speaking about aviation art. As members of the American Society of Aviation Artists, they attended EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they championed the work of dozens of aviation artists. They wrote several books together, skillfully blending history and aviation art: Tuskegee's Heroes: Featuring the Aviation Art of Roy LaGrone, (1995); How to Draw and Paint Aircraft Like a Pro (with Andy Whyte, 2002); War in Pacific Skies: Featuring the Aviation Art of Jack Fellows (2003); and Into the Sunlit Splendor: The Aviation Art of William S. Phillips (2005).
Charlie died quietly in his sleep on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022. He loved people, always sharing jokes, and thoroughly enjoyed time spent traveling to see his family and the world with his friends. Predeceased by both wives, Charlie spoke often of having been blessed with two long and happy marriages. He is survived by his four children: Deborah Iacoponi (Jim), Peter Cooper (Evelynn Eighmey), Thomas Cooper (Stefanie) and Kathryn Daley (Patrick); three step-children: Linda Barrett (Glenn), John Warriner (Amy), and Beth McClosky (Bill); 18 grand-children and two great grand-children all of whom mourn his passing but celebrate his life.
A memorial will be held at Southminster Presbyterian Church at 10:00 am on April 28th followed by a 2:00 pm inurnment at Dayton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Charlie's commitment to the Air Force should donate to the Development Department, Air & Space Forces Association, 1501 Langston Blvd Ste 400, Arlington, VA 22209. Please annotate a donation for "Gail & Mike Donley Spouse Scholarship".
To share a memory of Charlie with the family or to leave a special message, please click on the Share Memories button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles S. Cooper, Iii, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Friday, April 28, 2023
Starts at 10:00 am (Eastern time)
Southminster Presbyterian Church
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