of Conway, AR
December 3, 1940 - July 7, 2018
Coach Helm Hobbs Cooper, Jr. is dancing the streets of gold with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He entered Heaven peacefully on Saturday, July 7, 2018 with his devoted wife, Dottie by his side. Helm was born in Atlanta, GA on December 3, 1940 to Helm H. and Onita Joseph Cooper.
Helm graduated from Columbia Military Academy and attended several colleges before finally obtaining his degree in 1972 from Hendrix at the age of 32. He worked as a salesman for several food companies before beginning his 35 year teaching and coaching career. He taught Biology and coached at Jacksonville Northside Jr. High, Mayflower, Conway High and coached 7th grade football at Bob Courtway. After retiring in 2007 he was a volunteer football coach at Conway Christian. For over 20 years he worked during the summer at Half Hitch Tackle in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Coach was a very loving and outgoing man and never met a stranger. Everywhere he went there was someone who knew him. His joy was making people laugh and sitting on his front porch visiting. Helm was very spiritual and always put the Man Upstairs first in his life. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Waiting to join him one day is his devoted wife of 55 years, who never left his side, Dorothy ''Dottie'' Broome Cooper, his children; Helm Hobbs ''Buster'' Cooper, III, Kelly Louise Simmons (Woody), Hugh Joseph Cooper (Nicole) and Ronnie Paul Cooper, his grandchildren; Cassie, Savannah and Drake Cooper, Holly (Hunter) Schroeder, Jordan and Carson Simmons, Cecilia and Anderson Cooper and Emma Cooper, his great grandchildren; Cooper and Hadley Schroeder, his sister; Gail (John) Carver and two special ladies, Valerie Cooper and Rebecca Cooper. He leaves cousins, nieces, nephews, countless friends and former students.
As Coach requested, he was cremated and asked that you not mourn for him but rejoice and be happy. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 7:00PM.
He wanted no flowers but Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph School Endowment. www.sjse.org or mail to 1315 College Ave., Conway, AR 72034
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11 Condolence(s)
Bobby Pruitt
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
I could not sleep last night(4/17/23). Got up @ 5:00( usually up @ 7:30.) Helm Cooper was on my mind. I tried to find his number and got Roller Funeral Home. I had no idea Helm passed away in 2018.
I met Helm in 1977 when I started coaching and teaching in 1977 @ Northside Jr. High. He was a mentor to me and got me started out in the right direction with the students. He was such an outgoing guy that everyone loved Helm Cooper. He was an outstanding teacher and the students loved to be in his class. He would come to the coaches offices almost everyday and we would discuss a variety of topics. I went to Jacksonville High School in 1980. Right after that,I believe Helm went to Mayflower. I had not herd from him for almost 40 years but I believe GOD got me out of bed early this morning to tell me about my outstanding mentor from the past.
So sorry, I did not know. Dottie, He brought me to your house to meet you and your kids. He was so proud of his family. Dottie, I hope this does not upset you that I wrote this so many years later but I felt lead to do so. Hope you and the family are doing GREAT. That is what Helm would want. What a guy who loved the LORD.
Sherri Clark
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Coach Cooper, you were awesome.
You will be missed tremendously.
Always smiling. Always full of joy for the ones who walked past you.
Just a good man all the way around.
Christopher Smith
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Coach Coop and your Family, I celebrate your new life with our heavenly father. As I leave my final respects, I will say this. As a young man at Conway High School, you were the one teacher who took me from a failing grade to a passing grade all because, you took me into your back room office, for a conversation about my respect and grades. Where I said, "I guess you're going to send me to the office?" You said "No Sir...we are going to handle this man to man... Right here!" "Your going to pay attention in my class and you're going to bring these grades up, do you understand?" Yes Sir. "Do you have any questions? No Sir. And my grades came up...to A's! Thanks Coach Coop! To your friends & family, I pray for their understanding and healing due to your passing. God Bless each of them.
Bill and Virginia Clements
Monday, July 16, 2018
We are so sorry for your loss. He was truly a very kind and caring person that touched the lives of so many young people and adults. He was so kind to our kids -- Bill and Laura Beth Clements and Clint Honnoll. We will miss him and his witness.
Johnny and Olivia Opitz
Friday, July 13, 2018
We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Goodbye for now, Coach. Until we meet again.
Kim Wofford
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Coach sure touched a lot of lives in a blessed way. Mine was one of those, he made our lives better by just being himself. We will never forget Coach Cooper. For the family I am truly sorry and my prayers are with you all.
Cindy A. Young
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Coach was "one of a kind" who GOD fearfully and wonderfully made and then took home to be with HIM. Coach lived a full life and impacted many others lives in a positive way by using his GOD given gifts.. It was soooooo very hard to see Coach so sick his last days here on earth but now knowing he is whole and well, gives me great comfort. Coach will be missed at FAMily BIRTHdays and sporting events - BUT never forgotten. RIP you rascal Coach!
Sheryl King
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Rip Coach Cooper, you'll never be forgotten.
Candy Combs Reed
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Finding out that I share a birthday with my FAVORITE coach just made my day a little brighter. Goodbye for now Coach, until we meet again. Prayers, hugs, and love.
Candy
SHAWN WILKINS
Thursday, July 12, 2018
RIP COACH COOPER
Dottie Cooper
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Your are gone from me physically
But always with me spiritually
Always by my side
As you wrote to me many years ago
I Am You
You Are Me
We are ONE
HELM & DOTTIE......2-4-63 to 7-7-2018