Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)(16 May 2009)

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)(16 May 2009)
From: Neil D
Date: 20 May 09 - 01:45 AM

Phil,
   Losing my father was not only very sad but also profound, like the universe had somehow been permanently altered. After 12 years I still miss him. We send our most heartfelt condolences.
                                       Neil & Christina Devore

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: Arkie
Date: 19 May 09 - 10:29 PM

Phil, I am sorry about your father. He seemed to be the kind of father many of us would like to be and he was evidently proud of your music.

Elliott

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 19 May 09 - 10:23 PM

Thanks, Art. I know my dad and mom both really enjoyed the times you were at the house. He talked about you often. --Phil

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 May 09 - 03:14 PM

Phil,

And as I hope you know, I was a big Darwin Cooper fan. I wish I'd known him better. He was a fine fellow who it was always a pleasure to hold an extended palaver with. At first, I didn't expect we'd have a ton to talk about, but after about fifteen minutes, it became clearly obvious that we were on the same page just about all the time. It was grand to hear of how his adventure and mine brought us to many similar conclusions.

Condolences to you all,

Art and Carol

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 19 May 09 - 10:53 AM

Thanks so much for everyone's comments. I appreciate it. We're about to go off for the memorial. Margaret and Kate are planning to sing Children of the Heavenly Father, Susan and I will sing Living Works of Art, and Hooking Bull at the Landing. There will be some choir stuff there, too.

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 19 May 09 - 08:01 AM

So sorry to hear of your loss Phil. Katlaughing has expressed the same thoughts that I was going to send. I would just add, thinking of my own father and I, that good memories last a long time and are a great comfort. Burl/Roy

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 May 09 - 08:22 PM

Blessing or not, an end is an end-- my sincere condolences. I look forward to hearing more about him.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 May 09 - 08:01 PM

As you say, in the end it can be a blessing for them to go; it was thus for my dad, too. Doesn't lessen the loss, though, and I offer you my deepest condolences and may your music be a comfort.

In sympathy,

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: Mooh
Date: 18 May 09 - 06:17 PM

Phil...This is sad news, and we're very sorry for your loss. I know there are lots of good memories and that's what matters. When my Dad died, we found this in his wallet:

We seem to give him back to you, dear Lord, who gave him to us. As you did not lose him in giving, so we have not lost him by his return. For what is yours is ours always. And life is eternal, and love is immortal, and what we call death is only an horizon which is the limit of our sight. Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see further. Open our eyes that we may see more clearly, that in drawing nearer to you, we may draw nearer to those whom we love who are with you. Amen.

Hope you don't mind if we say this for you.

Peace and love, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: Anne Lister
Date: 18 May 09 - 05:16 PM

So sorry to hear of your loss, Phil - we're sending hugs and love to you.

Anne

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: gnu
Date: 18 May 09 - 04:45 PM

Thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: DebC
Date: 18 May 09 - 04:44 PM

Phil,

It sounds like your Dad was a pretty special guy. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: open mike
Date: 18 May 09 - 04:21 PM

hugs to you and may you keep his memory alive every time you make music!

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: GUEST,CupOfTea, no cookies
Date: 18 May 09 - 04:00 PM

Phil, dear voice, dear man,

So endlessly sorry for your loss. I feel so fortunate to have known him, if only briefly. I know much more, second hand, how much of a support he and your mother have been to your providing such incredible music to the world for so long. You, in your quiet, subtle, and endearingly to-the-pointness, are a testament to those who raised you: no fool, and quite a man.

The ability to die at home, among loved ones, is a grace that fewer and fewer of us will have as an option. I am so glad this could happen for your father. Though hundreds of miles away, I'll be singing along at my desk tomorrow to "Children of the Heavenly Father" and keeping you all in my thoughts and my heart.

love from Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 May 09 - 03:53 PM

I'm glad he supported your music, Phil. I'm sure he was proud of you. He sounds like a nice man. I'm sorry for your loss.

Subject: Obit: Darwin Cooper (Phil's Dad)
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 18 May 09 - 03:45 PM

My dad, Darwin Cooper, passed away this past Saturday. He'd been in home hospice and the end was more of a blessing than anything else. He lived a full life. He was supportive of my musical endeavors, liked classical music and opera, also liked train songs, and was an Art Thieme fan as well.