Thomas Westerfield Cooper

Cooper, Thomas W. SAN DIEGO -- Thomas W. Cooper was born in Louisville, KY on February 16, 1921 and went to be with the Lord on May 26, 2015. Tom joined the Army on January 22, 1943 and was wounded on November 10, 1944 in Metz, France. He was released from Thayer General Hospital in Nashville, TN on November 3, 1945 with an honorable discharge. He served under General George Patton with the 735th Tank Battalion and participated in the Battle of Normandy. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, ETO Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Service bars, an American Theatre Ribbon, The Purple Heart, and the Jubilee of Liberty Medal from the French Government. In 1962, he moved with his family to San Diego, at which time he joined the Union Tribune, leaving the Louisville Courier Journal and Times. Tom retired as Director of Operations from the UT in 1985. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, sister, and his first wife, Monnie. He is survived by his loving wife, Maggie; twins, Bonnie Kay (Phil), and Ronald; grandchildren, Chris Cooper, Daneida Cooper and Brandon Devoldre (Gemma); great-grand- children, Ivana Cooper and Gianna Devoldre; and 27 step-grand- children. A private burial with military honors was held at El Camino Memorial Park.