Wesley Verne Cooper, aged 96 passed away Saturday, July 27th. Wes was born in Akron, Ohio on November 22nd, 1927, spent most of his childhood in Jackson, Michigan and was a long-time resident of the Fremont area. Wes was well known as a high school teacher and golf instructor who spent the vast majority of his career in the Fremont school system. After retiring, Wes often spoke fondly of his time spent teaching Government, and always enjoyed connecting with old students. An avid fly fisherman, he recognized the value of a stable environment early in his life and was known to promote activities that protected various aquatic environments. He was the last remaining charter member of the Trout Unlimited organization, a co-founder of the White River Watershed in West Michigan, and spent considerable time teaching and demonstrating sustainable environmental practices.

In retirement, Cooper taught himself the "art" of crafting as well as repairing quality bamboo fly rods. Over time, this hobby grew into a modest business which also allowed him the opportunity to promote the rod building craft to anyone who desired to learn and eagerly promoted his art to all who asked. These teaching activities would later earn him a Michigan Heritage Award from then Governor Granholm, and he became the first recipient of the Wesley Cooper Award; an honor created in his name by the Greyrock Rod Builders Guild to recognize individuals who had spent considerable time and personal effort promoting the art of rod building.

Wes was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Fremont and later, a member of Grace Community Church in Howard City, Michigan. Above all his many crafts and activities he loved his Lord Jesus Christ. He often served as Sunday school teacher, led small group Bible studies and served in other various church related activities as needed. Wes loved people and valued the relationships he nurtured over the course of his life. He was incredibly social and will affectionately be remembered for his ability to strike up a conversation with seemingly anyone at any given moment.

Wes was preceded in death by his wife Barbara in 2019, and is survived by three sons; Joel (Peggy) Cooper of Howard City, Jeffrey (Carolyn) Cooper of Cheboygan, and Kevin (Carol) Cooper of Zeeland, 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great- great-grandchild.

Private graveside services will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery with a public memorial service on August 3rd, 11:00 a.m. at Grace Community Church in Howard City. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider a memorial fund to Grace Community Church in Wes's honor.