Obituary of Burts Lee Cooper

Burts Lee Cooper, Jr July 26, 1926 - March 12, 2016 Burts Lee Cooper, Jr. departed this earth life to join his family and friends who have passed on before. Burts, Jr. was born July 26, 1926 in Augusta, Georgia. When Burts was about two years old the family moved to Laurens, SC. where his dad acquired employment with the CN&L Railroad as a CAR INSPECTOR. When the Great Depression occurred, his dad lost his job. Burts was between 5-6 years old, and the family moved to Gaston, SC where his dad purchased a farm one mile west of Gaston on the road later named Meadowfield Rd. Burts and his younger sister, Hazel, attended Gaston Grammar School. (Grades 1-7) When Burts was about 12 years old, and began the 7th grade, he began having vision problems and dropped out of school. It was determined he had cataracts in both eyes. He had to wait two years for surgery to correct the situation. After surgery, Burts had to wear VERY THICK glasses, but his eye sight was perfect for the rest of his life. Burts returned to school and graduated from the 7th grade. He then enrolled in Swansea High School and graduated. After graduation, in 1945, Burts began working for SCE&G as a Sub Station Operator. About 2 years later he advanced to System Dispatching and became a Dispatcher, Senior Dispatcher, and Chief Dispatcher. The Company then sent Burts to Minneapolis, MN to customize the "Control Data-Energy Management " System Computer, where he worked for 10 weeks. When he returned to the Columbia Office, he was promoted to "Director of Systems Control". Later in his career, he was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of the New System Control Center on the 20th floor of the Palmetto Center Building. Burts retired in 1983. Burts married Ruth Milligan in 1946. They were the proud parents of 5 beautiful children: Linda Ann, Burts Lee III, Gerald Michael, Scott Antony, and Paul Phillip. Burts Lee III died when he was 15 years old due to drowning. Burts and Ruth were married 55 years. He married Juanice Cooksey in 2004. They were together 12 years. He is predeceased by his parents, Burts Lee Cooper, Sr. and Henrietta King; his brother, Luther Cooper; his wife, Ruth Milligan; and his son, Burts Lee Cooper III. He is survived by his wife: Juanice (Necie); daughter, Linda Ann White; sons: Gerald Michael Cooper(Mandy), Scott Antony Cooper, and Paul Phillip Cooper; grandchildren: Brad Cooper (Amanda), Blake Cooper (Sharon), Brittany Harmon (Ian), Brenna Rossmiller (Travis), Tony Cooper (Tara), Tiffany Cooper (husband), and Jason Cooper; stepchildren: John Cleveland (Christine), Amanda Wannamaker Cooper (Mike), Allison Treitler (Felix); 6 great grandchildren Burts was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served well all his life accepting many various callings within the church. Burts loved sailing and built two boats, the second of which he designed himself. Most of all, he loved his children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and his two wives, Ruth and Necie . A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1330 Whippoorwill Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072. Woodridge Funeral Home, Lexington, is assisting the family.