Spencer Nokomas Cooper Sr. was born on February 18, 1974, in Newport, Ark., and passed away Monday, March 7, 2016.
He was the first child born to Pamela Cooper (Matthews) and Johnny Lee McDonald. As a child, he liked sports such as baseball and basketball. He loved to hang out with his friends. Concerts were also among one of his hobbies. In September of 1992, Spencer joined the U.S. Navy, which brought him to where he would meet his one true love, the chicken big mac during his time in Bahrain.
During Spencer’s years of military service, one duty station in particular – NTC San Diego – would change his life forever. On New Years Eve 1994, in Tijuana, Mexico, Spencer met his beloved treasure, Victoria. The start of a beautiful forever began. First came love, then came marriage, then came a baby carriage, after baby carriage, after baby carriage. In San Diego, he met many friends who also served in the military that he kept in close contact.
Military orders soon relocated the family to Virginia Beach. It was here where he hopped on his bike and made the commitment to ‘Ride Derty Ride!’ Founding member of Derty Boy Spen, he loved to spend time on the road as long as only two wheels were involved. He was not a fan of water, but paid the price for our freedom. In September 2012, after 20 years of active duty service, Spencer retired as Yeoman YN1. After retiring he went to barber college, where he loved to cut hair and give advice, like any barber would do. He was known to all as a well-grounded, family-oriented man who brought out the best in people.
He was a man of his word. He helped anyone in need. If you needed help ‘Big Homie’ had you. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He was a generous, laid back, caring, devoted, handsome man with a beautiful soul.
He joins his grandparents that preceded him in death, Rosie and Henry Cooper and Henrietta McDonald and Jesse Lee Heard. He is survived by his wife, Victoria; children, Cierra, Spencer Jr., Mahalia and Tyson; mother, Pamela Matthews and Billy Matthews; father, Johny Lee McDonald and Reva McDonald; brothers Stefan Cooper, Johnny McDonald Jr. and Timmy McDonald; and sisters, Dana Nevels and Gigi Burns. He will be dearly missed by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.
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