Clayton W. “Clay” Cooper, passed into glory on August 17th, 2023, at his home at the age of 82. Clayton was born in Tulia, Texas to Harold Cooper and Fay Embry. He was raised in West Los Angeles, CA, moving to Anchorage, AK in 1955. He attended Anchorage High School meeting his future wife, Donna Biffle. They graduated in 1958, prior to Alaska becoming a state. They were married in Anchorage in 1960 and moved to California to attended college.
Clayton joined the Army in 1963, graduating from Fort Rucker as a helicopter pilot and served in Korea, flying the H37. He served two tours in Vietnam flying Huey gunships and as a maintenance officer. Clay was an instructor pilot at Ft. Wolters, Texas. He completed his BS in Economics from the University of Tampa in 1972, his master’s in management from Webster University in 1989. He was stationed in Ethiopia and later, Germany. He attended the Command and General Staff College, class of 1979/80. He remained as a logistics instructor, retiring from active duty in 1983. He flew helicopters for PHI in the Gulf of Mexico, later flew the air ambulance for Research Medical Center. He was a military analyst for CALL, retiring with 37 years of government service. His hobbies included carving, golfing, playing chess, riding motorcycles, hunting and he was an avid Dodgers fan. Clay and Donna enjoyed traveling extensively and were privileged to visit all seven continents.
Clayton is survived by Donna, daughter Kelle Cooper, daughter-in-law Shanda Wieburg-Cooper, grandsons, Ashton (Becca) Cooper, Colby (Elizabeth) Cooper and Jansen Cooper and great-grandson, Buchanan. He was preceded in death by his son, Craig. Memorial contributions are suggested to Good Shepherd Hospice, 1317 South Fountain Drive, Olathe, KS 66061 and to Deeper Window, 729 Pennsylvania, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Private family services will be held later.
