Joseph Pat Cooper

Joseph Pat Cooper, age 89, went to his heavenly home on January 27, 2026. He passed peacefully and was surrounded by the love of his family. He was a son to the late Grady Robert Cooper and Beatrice Boyce Shook Cooper. Joe was born and raised near DeKalb, Texas. Soon after graduating from high school, he entered the U. S. Air Force and spent a nine-month tour in South Korea. The military was where Joe learned his trade to be a computer and radar technician. After an honorable discharge, Joe worked several jobs, but he found one permanently with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at Dulles Internation Airport where he spent over 33 years. While with FAA, he went to Oklahoma many times for training, did a one-year assignment in Taiwan, and a four-year assignment in Guam. After retiring from FAA, he ran his own handyman business until a second retirement.

Joe enjoyed meeting and getting to know people. He enjoyed his handyman business and loved helping people with their projects. Joe had the knowhow to fix almost anything. His hobbies were crossword puzzles, writing poems, and he had other writings, too.

Joe accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized when he was 12 years old, then he rededicated his life as an adult. Joe was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Manassas where he enjoyed singing bass in the choir and was part of the Life-Builders Class. He also temporarily worked as a handyman at Emmanuel Christian School. He later moved his membership to Centreville Baptist Church in Centreville and was part of the Senior Saints Sunday School Class and the GOGO’s.

Joe is survived by his wife, Rita Ellen Cooper, of 41 years; four daughters – Crystal Bolton (John) of Charlottesville, VA, Patty Cooper of Chicago, Jennifer Flynn (Jim) of Chicago, & Sharla Cooper (Chris) of Chicago; and one son, Bradley Cooper (Elizabeth) of Lovettsville, VA. He is also survived by a sister, Hazel Casey; a half-sister, Jo Ann Meadows; two half-brothers, Gary and Dean Cooper; 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Joe in death were a sister, Mary James, two brothers, Clecie and Bill Cooper, a half-sister, Linda Radar, and a great-grandson, Christopher Jenkins.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 6-8 PM at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg.  A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 with more details to be announced. Interment with military honors will take place at the Quantico National Cemetery on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 1:30 PM.

Pallbearers are Ricky Jenkins, Tony Peacoe, Matthew Peacoe, Lily Flynn, Lucas Flynn, and Brendon Jackson. Honorary pallbearers are Cooper Peacoe, Willow Peacoe, Levi Jenkins, and Gabriel Jenkins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joe's memory to Blue Ridge Hospice, Winchester, VA or Samaritan’s Purse, Boone, NC.