Mark Wright Cooper

1949 ~ 2020

Mark Wright Cooper, 71, passed away on April 5, 2020, in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Mark was born to Lysle Cooper and Elizabeth Wright on February 20, 1949 in Santa Monica, California. He was a proud US veteran, having served 4 years as a Navy Corpsman during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, Mark attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, on a tennis scholarship and graduated with honors, having received his bachelor's degree in sociology. Mark pursued his passion for tennis as he went on to become a professional instructor and member of the USTPA (United States Tennis Professionals Association), working at various tennis and country clubs.

In 1971 Mark married Sandra (Sandy) Lee Driggers in Orlando, Florida. They worked together at the tennis clubs, Sandy managing the Pro Shops and Mark teaching tennis. They were married for nearly ten years before welcoming their first child, Michelle, while living in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They later moved to San Antonio, Texas, where their second child, Monica, was born. That year, Mark decided to change his career path in order to provide a more sustainable living for his growing family. He began working for Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals in 1980 as a Sales Representative. During his time at Colgate, he and Sandy had three more children, Jessica, Casey, and Karen, and eventually moved the family to St. Augustine, Florida. Mark and his family loved St. Augustine, with its beautiful beaches, sunshine, and historical architecture. Mark had a very successful career with Colgate in sales management, which led to a variety of professional achievements as well as the development of many lifelong relationships. Mark and Sandy divorced in 1991, and the family moved to Houston, Texas, in 1995 where Mark continued his career with Colgate. Mark fell in love and married his second wife, Dianne Spooner, in Atlanta, Georgia on March 15, 1997. Mark and Dianne built a beautiful life together in Houston and enjoyed traveling with each other, especially to Europe and Mexico. After Mark retired from the corporate world in 2010, and Dianne in 2017, they prayerfully decided to make the move to North Las Vegas, Nevada, where they played active roles together in their Church and community.

Mark was an incredible husband, father, and grandpa, always creating special memories with his family, including his eight grandchildren. He was an avid art collector, guitar player, and most importantly—teacher. Mark loved to spend his free time reading non-fiction books and researching a broad range of topics. He equally loved sharing that information with his wife and children. Mark was passionate about history, religion, sports, archeology, and music.

Mark had a profound love for his Heavenly Father and spent countless hours serving his fellow man. He held many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and found great joy in compassionately serving its members. Mark loved spending time completing his genealogy and would often recount stories from his pioneer ancestors. Mark had an undeniable testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ, and a thirst for gospel knowledge. He would spend hours in careful thought, studying the scriptures, fasting, and praying to his Heavenly Father for personal revelation and guidance, even until his death. Mark was well respected and loved. His example of love and service continues to live on through the memories and actions of so many.

Mark is survived by his wife, Dianne Cooper, sister Janet Cooper, brother Russell Hogge, daughters Michelle, Monica, Jessica, and Karen, son Casey, and his grandchildren Steven, Preston, Autumn, Henna, Dominic, Neo, Caydence, and Mateo.

He is also survived by his stepbrothers Gary and Stephen Page, and stepsister Maxine Hamblin.

Preceded in death by his beloved parents and his brother Stephen Cooper.

Graveside services for Mark will be held on April 17, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. at the Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah. Visitations will be from 11:00 a.m. to noon on the same day at Larkin Mortuary in Riverton, Utah. Services will be limited in attendance to immediate family members in cooperation with the current social restrictions.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Mark's charitable wishes, the family suggests making a donation to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Humanitarian Aid Fund or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.