Maj. Troy Dean Cooper, U.S. Army, Ret.

Funeral services for Maj. Troy Dean Cooper, 79, U.S. Army, retired, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, at First Baptist Church in DeQuincy.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, June 27, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 28, at Hixson-Snider Funeral Home in DeQuincy, and from 1 p.m. to the time of services at First Baptist Church of DeQuincy.

Burial will follow in the Masonic Cemetery in DeQuincy.

Pallbearers will be his friends in the Habibi Flivver Unit.

Rev. Rob Walls, pastor of First Baptist Church of DeQuincy will conduct the services.

Troy was born on Dec. 25, 1934, in DeQuincy to Herbert and Opal Cooper.

Troy graduated from DeQuincy High School in 1953 where he was a drum major. He graduated from McNeese College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree. He started a McNeese tradition followed by his daughter, Cherie, and his granddaughter, Katie. While at McNeese he was a member of the Rodeo Club, ROTC and a drum major for the ROTC Band, a member of the Block and Bridle Club and the Horn and Hoof Club. He was also a member of the Cowboy Marching Band.

After graduation from college he entered the U.S. Army as a lieutenant. He was a career officer and aviator in the U.S. Army and a Vietnam veteran, having served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He earned his wings and flew both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. He had risen to the rank of Major at the time of his retirement from military service. He received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm twice while in the service. He received many other commendations and ribbons.

After his retirement from the military he worked for Roadway Express for many years until his full retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church and served on various committees and especially enjoyed working with the Kitchen Committee. He was a Mason and a member of four lodges: 1861 Pelican Civil War, 279 DeQuincy, 126 Madison and 238 Magnolia.