Jerry Dale Cooper

Jerry Dale Cooper, 57, of Bozeman, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2008. He was born March 17, 1950 in Del Norte, CO, the eldest of 4 sons born to Verne and Mildred (Schmittel) Cooper. As a boy, he lived on the Colorado State University Experimental Farm in Center, Colorado, then Blackfoot, ID and later in Billings, MT. Following high school Jerry enlisted into the Marines. He spent a tour in Vietnam and after his tour he received an honorable discharge. Returning to Billings, he enlisted into the Army and served another tour in Vietnam. While in the Army he served as a helicopter crew chief-mechanic, door gunner, and was secretary to the base colonel. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged from the Army he moved to Bozeman to attend Montana State University and while taking courses, he worked for HF Johnson and Story Distributing as a driver. Graduating in 1981, he received his degree in Agriculture. After college, Jerry took a round-the-world bicycle trip that included much of Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. In 1982, he met Pamela Biram and they were married in 1984. In 1986, their first child, Julia Lauren was born, followed by Timothy Daniel in 1990 and Christopher Hannon in 1996. Jerry had a sparkle for each of his children as each one came into the world and he was proud of each one. Shortly after Julia was born, Jerry went back to school to receive his teaching credential. Later he went on to get his Masters Degree in Teaching and was very close to completing his doctorate degree in School Administration. In 1991, the family moved to Circle, MT for Jerry#8217;s first teaching job. He taught there for one year. Jerry#8217;s love of hunting and the mountains brought the family back to Bozeman where he was hired as a 9th grade science teacher at Bozeman Senior High in 1992, where he taught continuously until his death. His positions at the school included Coaching football, Drivers Education, and some administrative work. He absolutely adored teaching Drivers Education because the students were so eager to learn to drive. Jerry loved hunting and packing in the mountains and was a very successful hunter, bringing home an Elk every year. He enjoyed annual summer pack trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Beartooth Mountains and also spent his summers haying his neighbors land so that his horses would always be well fed. Jerry was an active member at Grace Bible Church, where he worked to help arrange the men#8217;s annual pack trip. He was preceded in death by his mother Mildred. Survivors include his wife of 25 years Pamela; his children Julia Lauren, Timothy Daniel and Christopher Hanen all of Bozeman; his father Verne (Eileen) Cooper of Nampa, ID; three brothers Monte (Brenda) Cooper of Bozeman, Kurt (Janna Johnson) Cooper of Billings, and Ken (Kathy) Cooper of Everett, WA; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be held Monday, March 17th from 5 to 8 pm at Dahl Funeral Chapel. The family will be present to greet friends from 5 to 6 pm. Private family burial with military rites will be held on Tuesday, March 18th, at Sunset Hills Cemetery, followed by a public memorial service at 4:00 pm at Dahl Funeral Chapel, with a public reception following at Grace Bible Church at 5:00 p.m. Memorials may be made in his name to: The Worthy Student Scholarship Fund, c/o Bozeman Senior High 205 N. 11th St., Bozeman, MT 59715, Grace Bible Church, 3625 S. 19th, Bozeman, MT 59718, Heritage Christian School, 4310 Durston Rd, Bozeman, MT 59718. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dahlcares.com