Michael Thomas Cooper

Michael went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 16, 2016 after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer at his home in Bakersfield, CA. He was in the loving care of his wife, Cheryl (Blanco) and his three sons, Michael, Kristopher and Nicolas and their families. His suffering ended after a diagnosis of three short weeks. He was 63 years of age. Michael was born on September 14, 1952 to Thomas and Lorene Denning/Cooper of Taft, California. He attended school in Taft and joined the Army in 1969 as a member of the 36th INF BDE USAEUR. Upon return to the US, he transferred to the 348th MP CO until his exit from the service in 1972. Mike worked in the oilfields of Taft and many other locations throughout the U.S. He went on to owning several wireline service companies over a span of 40 plus years, the last of which was known as Mike's Wireline Service. He sold his business in 2013 and he and Cheryl, his wife of 24 years, went into what they called semi-retirement. About a year into retirement, he started to become bored and was ready to embark on a new adventure which was soon to be known as Mike's Machine & Welding. It was just starting up when he took sick. His wife and sons will continue to operate and grow the company in his memory. Mike made quite an impression on everyone he met, what with the many hats he wore. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, sailing and hunting. As he so loved the ocean and all of its magic, he enjoyed his time as a scuba instructor and this he spoke of with many fond memories. Mike was extremely proud of his military service and always thanked members of the military service when he saw them. Mike was also known as "Mean Mike." a name given to him during the Oildorado era of the 1980s when he was a member of the Wooden Nickel Gang. To this day the name has stuck. Anyone who new Mike new he was never at a loss for words and always offered a helping hand no matter what it cost him. He was always willing to help. He is loved and missed by all who knew him and is forever in our hearts. Mike was preceded in death by his mother and father as well as his daughter-in-law, Sarah Suzanne. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his sons, Michael J., Kristopher T. and Nicolas K.; daughter-in-law, Sarah C.; grandchildren, Sydney, Meagan, Madison, Mathew, Kaleb and his youngest, Sophia; sister, Vickie and Marty Abrahamson; niece, Shalom; nephew, Samuel and their families in Oregon; sister and brother-in-law, Cindy and Louis West of Taft; mother and father-in-law, Shirley and Larry Nelson of Taft; uncle, Mark Knowles of Arizona; cousin, Joan Pontin and family of Taft; and numerous other cousins. A graveside funeral service will be held in the West Side District Cemetery in Taft, CA on Friday, August 26, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a lunch at the Petroleum Club in Taft. Viewing will be on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m at the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home.

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