Chris Cooper, pictured during happier times, died Thursday evening at Harborview Medical Center and Hospital in Seattle. He passed away surrounded by friends and family. - Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Chris Cooper, pictured during happier times, died Thursday evening at Harborview Medical Center and Hospital in Seattle. He passed away surrounded by friends and family.

Christopher Cooper memorial set for 3 p.m. Friday

By JESSIE STENSLAND
Whidbey News Times Assistant editor
December 4, 2012 · 2:35 PM

A public memorial for 23-year-old Christopher Cooper is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at the Football Bat Sports Bar and Grill in Oak Harbor.

A graveside service for family and close friends will be 2 p.m. Friday at the Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Cooper, a graduate of Oak Harbor High School, passed away at Harborview Medical Center and Hospital in Seattle Nov. 29 after suffering serious head injuries in a fight. He was found unconscious in a parking lot on Pioneer Way early in the morning of Nov. 17.

Jason Youngsman, the general manager of the Football Bat, welcomes people to attend the memorial event and remember the young man who was known as a loyal friend and a “stand-up guy.”

Youngsman said he was very close with Cooper and felt like a father figure to the young man.

He was Cooper’s bowling coach in high school and was a teammate on the Wes Anderson Memorial League in Skagit County. In fact, Cooper lived with Youngsman for a couple of years in high school after his mother moved so he could graduate in Oak Harbor.

“He was charismatic and a hard worker,” he said. “Just an all-around great kid and a great bowler.”

Youngsman said the community has rallied to support the Cooper family. Fundraisers at the Football Bat and the bowling league have raised $3,400.

 

Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.

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