Wayne William Cooper

Wayne William Cooper, age 64, passed away January 27, 2023, at his residence. He was born on January 15, 1959, to Alice (Combs) and Donald Cooper in Missoula, MT. He was the sixth of eight children. His father moved the family to Lewistown in 1968 to open a lumber mill, where Wayne and his siblings helped after school. This is where his lumber mill career began.

Wayne worked at Plum Creek in Pablo for over 20 years until it closed and then Cavalar Lumber in Spokane for about 7 years before coming back home to Polson. He was very proud of his planer work.

Wayne loved to fish, as he would say “born to fish, forced to work”. He was also an avid basketball player. He played all through high school at St. Leo’s in Lewistown and then college in Sitka, Alaska. He would play two nights a week with friends at Linderman gym, and of course brought his kids along. He even won the slam dunk contest at Hoopfest in the early 90’s.

Wayne met the love of his life, Carol, in 1987 and they were married December 31, 1988. Soon came their first child was born, Tisha, in September of 1989. Then in 1991 they welcomed their son Kyle. He was very proud of his kids.

Wayne was the life of the party; his smile and laugh will be remembered forever.

Wayne is preceded in death by his brother Roger, his father Don, and his mother Alice. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Carol, his children Tisha (Cole) Gordon and Kyle (Kelli) Cooper and his three precious granddaughters Hayden Gordon, Harper and Eleanor Cooper who he loved so much. His siblings Donnie Cooper, Jack (Roxie) Cooper, Doug (Lori) Cooper, Bonnie (Dave) DaRold, Janet Cooper and Howard Cooper, and many special cousins and nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to all who provided medical care for him for the last four years.