Natt Cooper, 87, Husband, Father, Friend

I am in Memphis, Tennessee right now, celebrating the life of my grandfather, Natt Cooper. It's an honor to share with you the touching obituary that my dad wrote

Natt Cooper, 87, Husband, Father, Friend

Whether it was through wit, sarcasm or warmth, Natt Cooper always managed to invoke smiles from those he shared his life with and touched. Born in Memphis in 1919 and the youngest child of Jacob and Fanny Cooper, Natt passed away peacefully Sunday morning in Atlanta, Georgia with family close by. Born and raised in Memphis, Natt served in the Army Quartermaster Corps during World War II and returned to Memphis and wisely chose to wed his guiding light Mary Louise Krakaur. Mary Louise and Natt lived, loved, worked and played together and raised their three children in Memphis. Mary Louise passed away in May of 1991. Natt’s personal drive and sense of loyalty allowed him to begin working at Acme Paper Company and remain there as it grew into Cleo Wrap Corp. At the age of 70 Natt retired from Cleo as Vice President of Sales. Not only was he a fixture at Cleo Wrap but was also actively involved with Temple Israel, The Dixon Gallery, The Wonders Exhibits and the Memphis Children’s Museum. He was an active tennis player until age 82 when he moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be closer to family. His love of family and genuine warmth to others are his true legacy. Honoring his memory and the goodness of his life are his children Ken and Charmian Cooper, Melanie and John Umberger, Paul and Cathy Cooper and his three grandchildren Charmian, Ryan and Ashley. Funeral services will be graveside at The Temple Israel Cemetery at noon on Wednesday. The family requests that any donations be made to Temple Israel in memory of Natt.

These last couple of weeks, my grandfather has taught me so much about dying. In his sleep and in his waking he's been very active, mumbling, speaking, and making motions that seem to be aspects of reliving and reworking parts of his life... connecting with loved ones alive and not alive... and doing a lot of 'work' that I don't know how to describe. I feel like he's taught me a little about the process of dying, of finishing up life, of making sure all the currents are flowing, all connections are honored with reverence, life vibrating in the fullness of its radiant existence with a peaceful hum of acceptance.

Thank you, Papa. I love you.