Michael Harlan Cooper

Mike loved adventure and stretching the limits of what was possible.  He was born on October 26, 1959 to Jake and Billie Cooper.  On May 24, 2024, he joined them in Heaven for his new adventure. He was born in Sanford, NC and graduated from Sanford Central High School.  Mike grew up with the youth group from Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church.  He went on to graduate from East Carolina University. Mike interned and worked at Kiawah Island Resort as Front Office Manager, then Resort manager at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida.  Mike then took care of his mother for several years and then worked for Static Control until just before his death. Mike loved adventure and anyone who was willing to go on the adventure with him.  He made lifelong friendships from the youth group, high school, college and the many places he worked, and people he met on his journey.

Mike is survived by his sister, Carol Cooper Rouse; his nephews, David Rouse and Andrew Rouse; great niece, Mollie; great-nephew, James and many loved cousins that made up his family. Mike’s enthusiasm for tennis, ECU sports, NASCAR, golf, campfires, fireworks, smoking meats, family, church and friends (in no particular order) was contagious.  Even for those uninterested, his celebration of these small joys was absolutely infectious. The legacy of his smile, his laugh, his hard work and his loving generosity will live on in the hearts of all those who knew him, loved him and will miss him greatly.  The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 12:45 pm until 1:45 pm at Hunt Springs Baptist Church.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm with Pastor Wesley Thomas officiating.  Burial will follow in Cameron Community Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hunt Springs Baptist Church, 1557 St. Andrews Church Rd., Sanford, NC 27332 and/or American Heart Association, 5001 South Miami Blvd., Suite 300, Durham, NC 27703.

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