PHIL CAMPBELL – A longtime servant for the people of Phil Campbell passed away Sunday after an extended illness.
Dewey Cooper, who was set to complete his 30th year as a city councilman in November, died Sunday at the age of 75.
“He was someone that started working for the people of Phil Campbell at an early age and he just never stopped,” said Phil Campbell Mayor Jerry Mays.
Mays said Cooper began volunteering with the town’s fire department more than 50 years ago and he remained active in helping the community for as long as he could.
“He could be credited with founding the rescue squad,” Mays said.
“Dewey and his wife, Joyce, both worked hard for the rescue squad and fire department for years. Joyce passed away several years ago, but she was like everybody’s mother or everybody’s sister. They were both very special people.”
Cooper retired as a custodian at Phil Campbell High School and also spent time at U.S. Reduction, the Phil Campbell Water Department, the Phil Campbell Housing Authority and the Phil Campbell Chevron Station over the years.
Mays said he can remember times when Cooper and the Chevron station’s former owner, Brandon Preston, would leave the store unattended to respond to fire calls with the fire department.
“People would pull up, fill up with gas and get whatever they needed and just leave the money on the counter,” Mays said.
“You could never do that now, but that’s the kind of people they were. They would help anybody.”
Funeral services for Cooper were held Tuesday at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville.
Mays said he is seeking an opinion as to whether or not Cooper’s seat on the council should be filled prior to the Nov. 5 meeting in which incoming council member Lynn Landers is set to take office.