THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 16, 1996 TAG: 9607160241
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 50 lines
Dudley Cooper, 96, a longtime Norfolk philanthropist, real estate entrepreneur and business leader, died July 15, 1996, suddenly but peacefully at his residence.
He was born in Tarboro, N.C., in 1899 and moved to Norfolk as a young boy. He was educated in the Norfolk Public Schools, graduated from Maury High School, attended the U.S. Army training program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute at Blacksburg, Va., during World War I, and later graduated from Columbia University School of Optometry in New York City, where he achieved the highest scholastic standing in the university's history. One of eight children who grew to maturity, he headed a family-owned nationwide chain of optometry offices and jewelry stores before he was 30 years old in the 1920s.
During World War II, he was chairman of USO activities for the Jewish Welfare Board in the Norfolk area. He founded the Norfolk Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. For many years he served as the finance chairman of the Feldman Chamber Music Society. He was a lifetime honorary member of the board of directors of Ohef Sholom Temple. He helped acquire the Chesapeake Bay steamer, re-named the ``Exodus,'' in 1947 prior to the formation of the State of Israel. He and his late wife, Mary T. Miller Cooper, received the National Lifetime Achievement Award of the Anti-Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith in 1991 for their many leadership roles and contributions in the community.
Mr. Cooper and his family, as well as his wife's family, Albert and U.S. Miller, at the urging of the U.S. Navy, purchased the then-defunct Ocean View Amusement Park, which they restored and operated, providing a source of wholesome entertainment for the thousands of service personnel who were stationed in Hampton Roads during World War II. Ocean View was operated continuously by the Coopers and Millers until it was sold in 1979. In 1944, he and his families acquired another landmark, Seaside Amusement Park in Virginia Beach, and also operated Seaview Beach Amusement Park in the former Princess Anne County.
He is survived by two sons, Joel B. Cooper and Charles N. Cooper of Norfolk. He also leaves six grandchildren, Wendy A. Cooper, C. Neilson Cooper Jr., John M. Cooper, Erik S. Cooper, Catherine C. Augus and Jefferson S. Cooper; and three great-grandchildren. One of 10 children, he is survived by a sister, Rena Cooper Zittrain of Virginia Beach, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other family.
The funeral will be held at H.D. Oliver Chapel in Norfolk at noon Wednesday. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Rabbi Lawrence A. Foreman will officiate. The family will be at home at 7339 Barberry Lane in Norfolk today beginning at 7 p.m., and also following the funeral on Wednesday. The family requests that donations be made to Ohef Sholom Temple or to a charity of choice, and that flowers be omitted.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB