Nicholas Ray Cooper

Nicholas (Nick) Ray Cooper passed on to his eternal life with Jesus his Lord, Thursday,

January 19, 2023. He suffered from type 1 diabetes for 55 years, and finally succumbed to

heart failure. Nick is survived by his wife, Diane Cooper, his brother Jack Cooper (and

Lynett), his son, Ben Cooper (and Mary), his daughter Jenny Alger (and Ken), and 5

grandchildren (Evan Alger (and Hannah), Emily Alger, Olivia Cooper, Sarah Cooper, and

Kate Alger).

Nick was born October 29th 1944, in Miles City Montana to Iva Bush and Garret Divine. When

he was about 3 years old, and his older brother, Bob, was about 5 his mother Iva married,

Lewis Cooper. Together they had two more boys and a girl (Jerry, Jack, and Lonna). Nick

grew up mostly in Snoqualmie Falls Washington. Then in 1965 he joined the United States

Marines, where he served for 16 months in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge from the

Marines in 1967 he met Diane Kathleen Arnold while going to the Burnley Art School in

Seattle, Washington. They courted for a few months and decided to get married on August

24th 1968. Together they decided to pursue more schooling for Nick at the Los Angeles Art

Center in California. While in California Nick began searching out spiritual things more and

made a decision for Christ Jesus as his Lord.

Nick graduated in 1972 with a BA in graphic design and then he and Diane decided to move

to Portland Oregon to pursue his career there. Nick and Diane bore and raised 2 children

while living in Portland for 21 years. In 1973, their son Benjamin Richard was born and in

1975 their daughter Jenny Rebecca was born. For most of their time in Portland they lived in

a brick house in the Mt.Tabor district. Nick and Diane and their kids were actively involved in

3 different evangelical church denominations while living in Portland. During their time in

Portland Nick and Diane invited various extended family members to stay with them as

needed, and extended much hospitality to other friends and neighbors. Nick also coached

his son’s soccer and basketball teams for about 5 years. As a graphic design artist Nick was

commissioned with designing many run event advertisements and T-shirts. This was among

his favorite jobs as well as others where he got to practice photography with his son.

In 1995, after their daughter Jenny graduated from high school, Nick and Diane decided to

move to Salem to be closer to Diane’s grandmother and aunt and to get out of the big city of

Portland. They lived near the Capitol building and once again practiced much hospitality

with family, friends, and neighbors. During this same season Nick decided to switch over

from his graphic design career to become a residential handyman, contractor. He received

more satisfaction from this line of work, because he could work more physically with his

hands and solve practical problems for his customers who truly valued his quality work and

integrity.

Nick and Diane’s children followed them to the Salem area and for most of his contractor

career he either had his son or son-in-law (Ken) working with him. In 2013 complications

from Nick’s diabetes resulted in very painful vascular problems in his feet. He was able to

get a bypass surgery on his right foot which was a huge relief, but then a few years later in

2017 complications on his left leg resulted in it having to be amputated. The hardest part of

the disabilities for Nick was not being able to work like he had. He still helped on projects for

both of his kids' families. Building play structures, assisting with remodeling projects and

lending a hand to neighbors and friends with their projects.

Among Nick’s favorite activities were attending the sporting, and musical events of his

grandchildren, which he did religiously, and vacationing with family, mostly in Sunriver,

Oregon and at the Oregon Coast. He also greatly enjoyed camping, hiking and skiing with

family. He was the quintessential family man.

During the last 20 or so years of his life Nick got to spend much time with his wife, Diane.

They enjoyed a few extended vacations, but mostly they just ministered to others together.

At church, teaching Sunday school, visiting at the nursing home and caring for other elderly

family members. They enjoyed home bible studies, and visits with friends and neighbors.

In 2016 Nick and his wife moved to Keizer, Oregon where they purchased a house from a

longtime customer of his. This was a happy place for him, living in a comfortable size house

that had a beautiful yard. A place to watch the wild birds from the kitchen window and

pamper his two pet cats.

Nick was a very tenderhearted man, with a quick wit, and keen sense of justice and

practicality. Even though he had the means to pursue hobbies, he chose instead to focus

his time and expenditures on blessing his family and countless other people, and ministries.

He will be sorely missed.