ROOSEVELT COOPER

Roosevelt Washington Cooper Jr. (Rosey) was born on May 24, 1960, to the late Roosevelt Wash Cooper Sr. and Azalee Cooper, in Dallas, Texas. Roosevelt departed this life Saturday, June 19, 2021.

Roosevelt grew up in Dallas as the baby brother to four older sisters. He attended W.H. Adamson High School where he met some amazing lifelong friends. He graduated from W.H. Adamson High School in 1978 and attended Morgan State University where he played football. At Morgan State University, Rosey was one of the founding members of the Brothers Bozack 99ONU. While attending college in Baltimore, he met Antoinette, the love of his life. Sadly, while playing football in college, Roosevelt received a sports injury that ended his football journey.  He later went back to college and received a degree from Baltimore County Community College. He also attended the University of Baltimore to complete his Bachelor’s Degree. In 2018, Rosey was also, one of the first Booster members of the Brothers Bozack to donate to Morgan State’s football program.

On May 23, 1982, Roosevelt W. Cooper Jr. and Antoinette M. Rice were married. They celebrated 39 years of marriage on May 23, 2021. Shortly after marriage, the Coopers relocated to Dallas, Texas. Roosevelt had a job working on an oil rig in Louisiana and they announced they were expecting their first baby girl. Danielle M. Cooper was born on March 12, 1983. Three years later, Roosevelt and Antoinette delivered their second baby girl, Candice Cooper, who was born August 5, 1986. Shortly after the birth of their second child, Rosey and Toni relocated back to Baltimore, Maryland. Roosevelt began working at Martin Marrietta (later changed to Lockheed Martin) in 1987. Shortly after moving to Baltimore, MD, Roosevelt and Antoinette delivered their third child, and only boy, Roosevelt Washington Cooper III, who was born on August 18, 1988.

While his children were in school, Roosevelt was an advocate for education and safety in the school system. He joined the PTA at every school and wasn’t afraid to go to the school board if the needs of all the children were not being met. Teachers, administrators, and principals praised Mr. Cooper for his enthusiasm for education and keeping the best interest of the children as a priority. Roosevelt was even acknowledged in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper several times for fighting for adequate learning environments for children.

Roosevelt was very active in his children’s and grandchildren’s extracurricular activities both in and outside of school. He donated his support, time, service, and finances to Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High school’s football and

track team as well as The Baltimore City track team. Rosey was a one-of-a-kind parent when it came to supporting the teams. He and wife, Toni, provided food, drinks and other snack items to start the programs concession stands; they organized fundraisers to help all children have the opportunity to travel with the team; they provided rides for children to and from practice and competition; and their secretarial skills for the coaches. They opened their home weekly so that the kids on the teams had a safe environment to hang out. After having grandchildren, Rosey and Toni traveled all over the country to support their grandchildren and their team at football games, track meets, and cheer events. During times when they were not able to physically attend, you better believe that they were watching and cheering on Facetime.

Rosey had the most infectious personality and melodious smile. People often gravitated to him because of his amazing personality and his ability to help out in any situation. Many youth that Rosey has encountered over the years considered him the dad that they never had or a second father. He has listened to issues and concerns without judgement and gave the best advice to everyone. He even helped some youth change their outlook on life by simply having a conversation with them.

In 2013, Rosey relocated to Arlington, Texas, for his job promotion at Lockheed Martin. Rosey an avid Cowboys fan was happy to be back in his hometown so that he could attend Cowboys games. His wonderful sisters opened their homes to Rosey while he searched for a place for him and Toni to settle. Toni took care of all the remaining affairs in Maryland and later joined Rosey in Texas in their quaint home that he found for them. One thing we can say about Rosey is that he loved his job and worked up until his last days of life.

Preceding Roosevelt in death is his sisters, Vanessa Cooper, Kathy V. Cooper; father, Roosevelt W. Cooper Sr.; and mother, Azalee Jackson-Cooper.

Roosevelt leaves behind his loving wife, Antoinette Cooper; three children, Danielle Cooper, Candice Cooper and Roosevelt Cooper III; six grandchildren,  Jameir Colbert, Janiya Burton, Paige Cooper, Azariana Flanagan, Lauren Cooper, and Roosevelt Cooper IV; three siblings and in-laws Celia Walker and Percy Walker, Dr. Ellen Cooper-Edwards and Dr. Dralves Edwards, and Trenda Cooper-Johnson, Melvin Johnson Sr.; mother-in-law, Gwendolyn Whiting, and father-in-law, Alfred Whiting; four godchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.