Thomas Towell Cooper

Thomas Towell Cooper, 83, was born in Hot Springs Feb. 21, 1931 to Lewis Downey and Eugenia Towell Cooper. He died Oct. 23, 2014. He was predeceased by by his wife of 50 years, Molly Brandt Cooper. He is survived by his sons, Dr. Russell Cooper and wife Jill of Hot Springs and Scott Cooper and wife Leigh Ann of Maumelle; three grandsons, Brandt and Whit Cooper of Hot Springs and Tom Cooper of Maumelle. He is also survived by his identical twin, Hiram Cooper of Hot Springs with whom he shared an extraordinary lifelong bond. Tom was a graduate of Hot Springs High School. He was a registered professional engineer with a master's degree and two bachelors degrees from the University of Arkansas, a member of Tau Beta Pi and Alpha Pi Mu Honorary Engineering Fraternities, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and he was commissioned a Lieutenant at graduation and served in the U.S. Army. He spent the bulk of his career at Little Rock Air Force Base serving as Deputy Base Engineer and a tour at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan. Tom took an early retirement to care for his wife Molly who developed early onset Alzheimer's disease. He devoted himself to her for 18 years until her death. Tom was a lifelong member of Hot Springs First United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. at Gross Funeral Home in Hot Springs with Rev. David Wilson officiating. Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association. The family would like to Thank Nancy Winkle and staff with Gratitude of Hearts Senior Care and the nurses and caregivers with Arkansas Hospice. Guest register at www.grossfuneralhome.com.