Kyle S. Cooper

Kyle S. Cooper passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at his home in Kingsport, TN surrounded by his family. He was born May 17, 1935, in Appalachia, VA, to F.E. (Gene) and Helen Cooper. Kyle was a member of the Big Stone Gap High School class of 1953 and after working for a short time in Washington, D.C. served in the U.S. Army. He graduated from East Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and worked as a programmer analyst in Richmond, VA, prior to returning to Kingsport to work for Eastman. He retired from Eastman Kodak Company in 1993.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jimmy, Russell, and Dennis.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bobbie Jean (Tate); his son, Steven Cooper; daughter Sharon Pugh (Tom);  grandchildren, Julia and Malachi Cooper; brother, Ken Cooper (Libby); sisters, Imogene Herron (Gary), of Eureka, MO, Christine Hardin (Allen), of Smyrna, GA, and Cathy Shuman (Rod), of Port  Richey, FL. He was blessed to be called GG (great grandfather) by Saylor, Hayes, Roman and Shiloh, the children of Jordan and Kevin Varney. 

Memorials may be made to the Captain Russell E. Cooper Memorial Scholarship (MECC Foundation, Inc., Mountain Empire Community College, 3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, Virginia, 24219) or a charity of your choice.