Brevard - Thomas Franklin Cooper, Jr passed away peacefully in the presence of family on September 23, 2016 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Tommy was born August 25, 1953 in Brevard, NC to Tom and Lucile Cooper. While growing up in Brevard, he became a member of Enon Baptist Church, attended local schools, and graduated from Brevard High School in 1971. During this time, he developed a love for athletics, music, hunting, fishing, hiking, and the mountains of Western North Carolina. While in high school, he contributed to winning baseball and basketball teams, and he remained an avid Brevard Blue Devil fan.
After high school, Tommy graduated from WCU with a Business and Management degree. He started his professional career with Burlington Industries in Asheville and fast tracked through manufacturing management positions. During Tommy’s 35 year career in the textile industry, he worked with Burlington Industries, Galey & Lord, and Dan River Mills prior to becoming CEO of Johnston Industries in Valley, AL. He left the textile industry to work for Michelin in Manufacturing Management in Ardmore, OK and Human Resources in Greenville, SC. In 2016, Tommy chose to return to the textile industry and was working for Twitchell Industries in Dothan, AL. Throughout his career, Tommy demonstrated his belief in the importance of each individual in his work environment. He was a gifted “people person” which was the key to his success.
Tommy was a loving, dependable, and proud father. He was also a supportive friend to many. Tommy was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Franklin Cooper, Sr., and son, Thomas Franklin Cooper, III. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberlee Cooper; his mother, Lucile Cooper; three sisters, Eunice Frady and her husband Calvin, Susan Moore, and Sarah Reid and her husband Marty; and his brother, Luther Cooper and his wife Myra. Tommy was a loving uncle to Jennifer Worley, Matt Frady, Aubrey Moore, Alissa Cook, Chas Moore, Krystin Cooper, Blakely Reid, Justin Cooper, Tripp Taylor, and Lane Howard.
A funeral service will be held at 3pm, Sunday, October 2 at Enon Baptist Church to celebrate the life of Tommy Cooper. Reverends Michael Skinner and Richard Jelley will be officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
On line condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

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