Robert James Cooper, 50, of Tulsa, Okla., died on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015. He had been a patient at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, for seven months.

He was born on Aug. 29, 1964, in New Bremen, the son of Becky (Janet) Cooper and the late James E. Cooper.

He is survived by his partner of 23 years, Dan Johnson and his four sisters Laura Hobler, Ellen (Ken) Cooper Nowlin, Eileen (David) Imwalle and Lynda Cooper (Steve Pleiman). He is also survived by his aunts Evelyn Kittle, Kathryn Rohrbach, Ruth Warner, Anna Mae (Jim) Hudson and Marlene Lammers as well as seven nieces and nephews.

His was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Robert Cooper and paternal grandmother Catherine (Cooper) Knost; by his step grandfather Albert Knost and maternal grandparents Arnold and Ora Westerbeck.

He attended New Bremen Local Schools for 12 years and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1983. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in psychology.

He worked with developmentally disabled individuals at the Opportunity Center in Ponca City and Gateway Foundations in Tulsa. He also worked with children with emotional trauma at Children's Medical Center in Tulsa.

In the year 2000, he became the owner of Harvard Liquor Warehouse in Tulsa and enjoyed a successful business.

It was Robert's wish to have his ashes returned to New Bremen. Honoring his wishes, the family is planning a memorial gathering beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Rod and Gun Club in New Bremen. Please come and celebrate his life with us. May he rest in peace.

Condolences may be expressed to the family via: www.millerfuneralhomes.net.

Local arrangements are entrusted to Miller Funeral Homes in St. Marys, OH.