UTM psychology professor of 33 years, David Cooper, died of cancer Saturday, Aug. 31, at Henry County Healthcare Center in Paris.

Cooper’s funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at McEvoy Funeral Home and was buried at Maplewood Cementary in Paris. He was remembered at his funeral by family, friends, faculty and students at his funeral.

“We knew that he was going to die but we didn’t expect it to happen so soon,” said principal secretary of the Psychology Department, Betty Cowen.

“I worked with professor Cooper for a number of years. I will remember his jolly ways, popularity with students and his ability to procrastinate,” added Cowen.

He used to say, “I’ll take care of it tomorrow,” replied Cowen. Naishia Person, a senior Nursing major from Memphis said, she will remember how understanding and patient Cooper was. And a person that opened many doors for his students.

Dr. Susan Buckelew, assistant professor of Psychology and one of Cooper’s former UTM students, said that Cooper was highly influential in her choice to obtain a psychology degree. “He really enjoyed teaching and made classes interesting. He sparks his students interest,” replied Buckelew.

Latonika Johnson, a senior Business Management major from Sommerville, said that he was excellent and sincere teacher. “He was fun to be around,” said Johnson.

Dr. William Zachry, professor of Psychology and director of the Honors Program, said that professor Cooper was a good listener.

“Students could come to him with their problems and he would listen to them for hours,” said Zachry.

Dr. Gary Brown, professor and chair of Psychology, added that it was Cooper’s kindness to his students and his enjoyment of teaching that everyone emphasized.

“Professor was always going out of his way to help his students. He put them first,” Brown said.

The one word that Cowen, Zachry, Brown and Buckelew said that would describe professor Cooper is “kind.”

The Department of Psychology are attempting to plan a possible memorial service for Cooper at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 in the quad around Centennial Square.

The Psychology department and Psi Chi are also planning to set up a scholarship in Cooper’s name for non-traditional students.

Both the memorial service and and the scholarship are in the planning stages and will be announced at later dates.

Cowen added that the death of David Cooper is sad, but he will be greatly missed.