Danny Ray Cooper, 77, of Macon, formerly of Tifton, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Brightmoor Hospice in Macon. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026, at Tift Avenue Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Harsey officiating. Danny will be laid to rest at Northview Cemetery in Dublin at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Tift Avenue Missionary Baptist Church from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of the service.
Born September 26, 1948, in Ty Ty, Danny was the son of the late Virgil H. Cooper, Sr. and Sara Maxine Camp Cooper. Before retiring, he was self-employed and was gifted to do all types of maintenance work. He was a member of Tift Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.
Danny Ray Cooper was an incredible man, in every sense of the word. He was an extraordinary man who lived an ordinary life with extraordinary love. He was kind, trustworthy, and steady in all he did. He lightened up every room he was in, from his radiant smile and infectious laughter to his silly renditions of mama’s soup surprise, he left every room he was in feeling brighter than it was before. Danny worked many jobs during his long life, some said he was a “Jack of all trades,” a phrase many believed described him perfectly. He taught us all the importance of living a Christ centered life. He was always steadfast in his devotion to the Lord and showed us that even if we had nothing at all, our lives were full with Christ in our hearts. While his absence leaves a void incomparable to anything, his lessons he taught us will guide our lives until the day we see him again in heaven. We thank you, Danny, for the memories you gave us and the love you shared. May you enjoy your welcome home party with all who are waiting for you, and rest in peace.
Danny is survived by his children and their spouses, Keri Cooper Jaros (Chad) of Inverness, Florida, Christopher Roy Cooper (Lisa) of Bethlehem, Georgia, Rebekah McLaughlin (David) of Macon and Mary Elizabeth Zavala (Manuel) of Warner Robins; one brother, Wayne “Bo” Cooper of Warner Robins; three sisters, Barbara Hancock and Joyce Cooper, both of Tifton and Doris Carter of Lenox; thirteen grandchildren, Dylan Opeka, Kylie Borrero, Cole Cooper, Camden Cooper, Carter Cooper, Hailey McLaughlin, Zada McLaughlin, Alonna McLaughlin, Taylor McLaughlin, D. J. Jaros, Justice Jaros, Norah Zavala and Sophia Zavala; and several great-grandchildren.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial gifts may be made to the Tift Avenue Missionary Baptist Church Mission Fund, 3015 Tift Avenue North, Tifton, GA 31794.