Austin Roman Cooper, Sr.

Austin R. Cooper, Sr., 97, of Greensburg, formerly of McMurray, died on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, in Westmoreland Hospital. He was born on August 18, 1920, in Washington, a son of the late Roman Cooper and Esther Johnston Cooper. A graduate of East Washington High School, he attended Knoxville College in Tennessee. Mr. Cooper served in the United States Navy. He worked as a physical scientist for the U.S. Department of Interior for over forty years. Mr. Cooper was a member of the Greensburg Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where he served presently as a ministerial servant, and in the past as an Elder.  His greatest love was his Creator and his ministry to the local community. An avid reader, Austin enjoyed travel and gardening, and especially his volunteer work for the Christian congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was a wonderful father and husband who cared deeply for all of his children and his wife. On February 18, 1952, he married Maureen H. Christie, of Edinburgh, Scotland, who survives.  They were married for 66 years. Surviving are four sons, Austin (Valerie) Cooper, Jr., of Greensburg, James (Beth) Cooper, of Irwin, Jonathan M. Cooper, of Greensburg, and Peter (Debra) Cooper, of Jeannette, a sister, Ethelynn Sanders, of Irwin; a brother, Roland Cooper, of Somerdale, NJ;  twelve grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Cooper, and three sisters, Regina Fleming, Marie Irwin and Thelma Ruth Cooper. Friends will be received on Saturday, July 7, 2018, from 4 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington, PA. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Sunday, July 8, 2018, in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1113 Middletown Rd., Greensburg, PA, with Darryl Petrus officiating. At the request of the deceased, burial in Washington Cemetery will be private, and held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to jw.org.