FOREST — Stafford Spencer Cooper, 75, was born in Alexandria, La., to Stafford and Eloise H. Cooper. He was married to Mary McCandlish of Cherryhill, N.J., in 1958. He attended LSU, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and was president of the Pistol and Rifle clubs.

He was a resident of Vicksburg from 1960 until 2006 where he owned and operated the Volkswagen dealership from 1960 until 1968. He worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1968 until his retirement in 1995, accumulating several patents, and was the recipient of the Commander and General’s Award for Engineering Design and Application.

In 2006, he moved to Forest with his oldest son, Thomas C. Cooper, where he enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family and was an advocate for outdoor sports.

He is survived by four sons, Thomas C. and Carolyn Cooper of Forest, Stafford J. and Edna Cooper of Tallulah, Stephen N. and Janice Cooper of Crowville, La., and Robert A. Cooper of Forest; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary “Little Love” McCandlish Cooper.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3601 Halls Ferry Road.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jeffery Cooper, Devin Cooper, Casey Cooper, Chad Cooper, Ashley Cooper and Jennifer Cooper.

He will be greatly missed by us all.