Herman Eugene Cooper, Jr., known by family and friends as Junior Cooper, 85, passed away March 19, 2014 in Lakeland, Florida.

Junior was born March 11, 1929 at home in Bowling Green, FL.  Junior began working at the age of 16 as a packer for M.E. Brown, Inc. Packing House.  Over the course of 59 years, he also worked for Troy Cobb and Gail Starett.  As the seasons and crops changed, Junior traveled and worked in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.  When he wasn't working in the packing houses, Junior could be found pushing his mower in Bowling Green.  He enjoyed mowing, lawn maintenance and going to church.  Junior was proud to say that all of his life he lived within 3 blocks of the home in which he was born.  In 2004, Junior moved to Oak Bridge Nursing Home in Lakeland.

Junior is survived by his brothers; Ernest (Sheryl) Cooper, of Fort Meade, FL, Don (Tina) Cooper, of Webster, FL, sister, Beverly Cooper Lord (Eric) Hines, of Lakeland, FL, sister in law, Peggy Cooper Branch, of Lake Placid, FL, nephews; Donnie Cooper, of Panama City, FL, Matt (Sara) Cooper, of Bartow, FL, Mark (Kristen) Cooper, of Neptune Beach, FL, nieces, Debbie (David) Weeks, of Naples, FL, Barbara Wilson, of Lake Placid, FL, Kim (Art) Martinez, of Lakeland, FL, Amy (Jamie) Hill, of Bartow, FL, Jenny (Corey) Baker, of Bartow, FL, Jean Cooper, of Sebring, FL, 7 grand nieces, 4 grand nephews, 3 great grand nieces, 2 great grand nephews and many cousins.  Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Avis and Herman Cooper, birth mother, Myrtle Jean Osteen Cooper, brother, Bobby Cooper and nephew, Drew Cooper.

A visitation will be held Sunday March 23, 2014 from 4-6 pm in the chapel of Ponger Kays Grady Funeral Home, Wauchula.  Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 24, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Bowling Green Church of God.  Burial will follow in Bowling Green Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Junior's name may be made to Bowling Green Church of God.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ponger Kays Grady Funeral Home, Wauchula, Florida.  Online condolences can be made at http://www.pongerkaysgrady.com .