Joseph Vern Cooper, 71, of Creswell, OR, passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
He was born on May 7, 1954, in Cottage Grove, OR, to Vernon Cooper and Mildred Clark. Joe grew up in several local communities in Oregon and graduated from Creswell High School in 1972. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Rita Dahle, on July 28, 1972.
Joe worked in the timber industry, holding several jobs in mills and briefly as an auto technician. He was proud to be an accomplished Stock Car racer, winning several track championships and earning induction into the Hall of Fame at Cottage Grove Speedway. Joe passed on that passion for racing to his oldest son Jeremy and served as his Crew Chief for several successful seasons in numerous classes of race cars.
Above all, Joe was known for his deep love and unwavering devotion to his family. He cherished every moment spent with them, whether sharing stories, offering guidance, or simply being present. His family was the heart of his life, and his commitment to them shaped everything he did. Joe was also recognized for his ingenuity, sense of humor, and gift for storytelling.
He is survived by his wife Rita Cooper; children Jeremy Cooper, Nikki Bohman, and Bryan Cooper; 7 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held on April 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Northwood Christian Church, located at 2425 V Street, Springfield, OR 97477.
