Bryan Paul Cooper

Bryan P. Cooper, surrounded by his family and lifted up in love, went home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Beloved husband of 30-years to Tracy Cooper (nee Cutrell), adored father of Joshua, Ava and Benjamin, and cherished son of Barbara and the late Paul Cooper. Dear big brother to Janis Cooper and Cindi (Tyler) Cooper-Edgecombe, and loving uncle, nephew, brother-in-law, son-in-law, and loyal friend to the masses. Beneath his quick-wit and mischievous grin lay a deep compassion for others and boundless love for his family.

Bryan was preceded in death by his beloved father, Paul Cooper, and sassy grandmother, Juanita Rice. He passed away after a near yearlong battle with cancer, fighting courageously through unfathomable pain to stay with us. He loved deeply and was deeply loved.

Bryan was a fighter and he won life. From his childhood days of running with his crew in Sorrento, college days in the Anthony Street house at Mizzou, to boxing at Fight Night and in Golden Gloves, he loved sports, attending and coaching, every event possible for Josh, Ava and Ben. While he had a passion for sports, he was also a highly gifted artist, and was a former member of 5-time international chorus champions, the Ambassadors of Harmony. Bryan had it all. Surrounded by love, he built a never-ending network of lifelong, loyal friends around the world. He got the girl of his dreams, and together raised three beautiful, thriving children who were the center of his world. They were Bryan’s pride; his joy and now they are his legacy.

Bryan Paul Cooper never met a person that wasn’t a potential friend. And once you were his friend, it was for life. His impact on this world is immeasurable because it is carried by each person whose life he touched and there is more than any of us will ever know. Bryan was steadfast in his beliefs and unwavering in his support and encouragement. His loyalty was universal, no matter if you were prince or pauper, and he believed in you and believed you could do anything. In your time of need, he was there, and he was there for all.

Bryan’s unconditional support and jovial spirit belied a creative and brilliant mind. He loved to dream and make others laugh but was always ten steps ahead of everyone else in the room. His unwavering character and strength are ever present. Bryan loved his God, his wife and family, and showed us all how to love others and stand up for what is right. He never gave up on himself or those whom he loved. Bryan was our strongest fighter and taught us that nothing is impossible. He lived a beautiful life and passed away loved, admired, respected, and surrounded by those who love him.

While our souls ache and our hearts crushed by the insurmountable weight of our loss, Bryan would tell us to be grateful. Be grateful for the memories and experiences of all the good times we shared- the family vacations, movie nights, unexpected calls checking in or to tell you a funny story, or surprise visits to say hello and drop off a pizza or a dessert “you just had to try.” The years of weekends at the lake, the annual Thanksgiving Bowl, inspirational texts to tell you he cared, and the never-ending debates about anything and everything are the things we will miss the most.

Written in his own words for his father’s obituary, Bryan said “God is always great, in good times and in bad. There is no more pain; there is only love.” 

Our dad, husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend was an amazingly creative and gifted man that loved life. His world was big, and we were grateful to share it with him. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and for being part of our family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis-Herbert Hoover Club https://www.bgcstl.org/ or a charitable organization of your choice.