COOPER, JR., Albert Dean

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Sunday, February 9, 2014 - On Dec. 20, 2013, Albert Dean Cooper Jr. passed away from complications of pneumonia. While Albert spent more than two decades living in Lake Havasu City, he was originally from Massachusetts. Albert spent his childhood and teen years in Boston before enlisting in the Army and proudly served a role in medical transportation during World War II. After his service, Albert attended Arizona State College at Flagstaff receiving a Bachelor of Science in education in 1952, and in 1963 received a Masters of Arts in education. He then pursued a teaching job on a Navajo Indian Reservation in the Monument Valley where he met his wife Patricia before the two of them moved to Alaska. For three years, Albert taught a kindergarten through 12th grade class in the small town of Bethel, Alaska before moving to Susanville in Lassen County, Calif. Once in Susanville, Albert’s first job was as a seventh grade teacher at the old Roosevelt school. He was soon-after appointed as teaching principle at McKinley where he held the position for 34 years before retiring and moving to Lake Havasu City. During Albert’s time in Susanville, he was regarded as a beloved, celebrated, dependable and influential figure within the community. Albert is survived by two children, Sandy and Mark; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. As per Albert’s wishes there will be no scheduled memorial service; however, each individual interested in expressing their condolences is encouraged to make a donation to a local charity, or volunteer community service in Albert’s name. Albert’s heart lit up the hearts of the ones around him, and although Albert has passed along, those who cherished him will hold fast to the spark that he placed upon them.