Matthew Nelson Cooper

Matthew Nelson Cooper, 17, of Poteau, OK, passed away on January 5, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born October 1, 1991 in Ft. Smith, AR. He was known as Nelson by Mom, Dad, Sister, & family, & known as “Matt by his many friends. Nelson was a JR at Poteau High School & well liked by all who knew him. He was a kind-hearted, compassionate, sensitive to others’ needs, non-judgmentaal, & fun to be around boy who loved all. Nelson had a special gift for connecting with small children whom he showed lots of attention & patience. Nelson always enjoyed family get-togethers & “movie nights”. He loved to “hang out” & spend a lot of time with his friends, play video games & watch T.V. He didn’t take life too seriously; he was laid back & carefree. He strived to make each day a happy one. He always made others laugh & his commentaries will never be forgotten. He believed in organ donation & his contributions will enable others to have life. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Bill & La-Dean Ritter and (Smokey) and Juanita Mae Cooper He is survived by his parents, Joe & Becky Cooper, Sister Crystal Kay Cooper of the home; aunts & uncles, Randy Cooper of Poteau, Gary Cooper of Greenwood, AR, Frances and David Butler, Virginia and Steve Hughes, Lora and Tim Daugherty, all of Poteau, Lawton and Veronica Ritter of Spiro; cousins Michael Cooper of Poteau, John and Jaime Cooper of Fort Worth, Texas, Angela Cooper of Tulsa, Billy Joe Ritter of Poteau, Darrin Baxter of Spiro, Rhonda and Pete Young of Tulsa, Amy and Doug Martinez of Poteau, Brian Hughes of Pryor, Loralee and Bryce Hamman, David Lee and Tabby Eggleston, Kathy and Justin Akins, and Desiray Daugherty all of Poteau; very special friend, Amanda Hall and numerous other relatives & loved ones and a host of beloved friends. A celebration of Nelson’s life will be conducted Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Bob Lee Kidd Civic Center in Poteau, OK with Reverend Jim Cook officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau. Pallbearers will be Billy Joe Ritter, David Lee Eggleston, Brian Hughes, Michael Cooper, John Cooper, Justin Akins, and Bryce Hamman. Honorary pallbearers will be Doug Martinez and Pete Young.