COLUMBIA - Robert (Bob) Cooper, 83, formerly of Gaffney, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 20, 2009, at Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia.

Born in Baltimore, Md., he was the son of the late Jack Cooper and Myrtle Allen Cooper. He was a self-employed baker, a U.S. World War II Merchant Marine and Vietnam War veteran. Mr. Cooper attended New Harvest Church of God.

He is survived by a son, Bob Cooper and wife, Marie, of Gaffney; two daughters, Carole Cooper and Beverly Hiott, both of Columbia; a grandson, Jay Kornder; two stepgrandchildren, Andrew Mullinax and Erica Thompson; and two stepgreat grandchildren, Kaylynn Olivia Mullinax and David Abram Mullinax.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by three brothers, Ernest Cooper, Jack Cooper and William Cooper.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 23, at 1 p.m. at Frederick Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Michael Perry officiating. The family will receive friends at the cemetery immediately following the service.

Family members are at their respective homes.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome. com.