He still lives alone, has coffee with friends at McDonald’s every morning and gets his daily exercise by walking at Walmart.
He rarely misses the first church service at First Baptist Church, is a people magnet and always has a positive attitude and the cheerful demeanor of a man half his age. Feb. 9, Glenn Cooper will reach that milestone of 100.
That doesn’t seem so old to Glenn, however, as his mother lived to be almost 113 and like Glenn, lived alone.
This centurion did have a goal of making this mark, and with rare exception, has lived a very healthy life. He takes an aspirin a day—only because it came as an order from his doctor.
Glenn was born in Edna, Okla., graduated from Oklahoma University with a degree in mechanical engineering and got his first job with Kansas Gas and Electric Company in 1935. He had moved to El Dorado to be near relatives and look for that job. He retired from KG&E after almost 40 years of service.
His daughter, Ruth Ann Parks, remembers her “daddy” taking her for rides on his blue scooter, when he went to check on meters at the traffic counter north of town.
Glenn’s Christian background led him to First Baptist Church and on June 6, 1936, he was united in marriage to June, who preceded him in death.
The Coopers had two children, Alan, who died in 1989, and Ruth Ann Parks who lives in El Dorado and is still devoted to her dad. Glenn has seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two great- great-grandchildren.
Parks describes her dad as “the most steady person I’ve ever know. He’s always been there for me, always has a positive attitude, never meets a stranger and has developed relationships with people he’s met at McDonalds and Walmart.” That is also true at church, where people of all ages are always seeking him out for a hug or handshake.
Glenn taught a men’s Bible Study class at First Baptist for more than 40 years, and he is known to remark that he’s outlived most of his students.
As an OU grad, he’s a huge Sooner football fan and loves watching “his team” on television.
The Coopers were victims of the 1958 tornado that devastated a portion of El Dorado.
When they were married a short time, the Coopers moved in a house, bought land and later built several dwellings. June was seriously injured in the tornado, and it was several days later Glenn discovered his injuries, including grass that was blown into his back.
They had taken shelter in the basement, but the house was completely destroyed. They rebuilt and Parks said she has memories of the Mennonite builders working and singing as they rebuilt the upstairs, while the family lived in the basement.
The family is hosting a public reception in honor of Glenn’s 100th birthday from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church, 315 W. Central. Glenn is the oldest living member of the church and admired and respected for his Christian witness and devotion to his Savior.
