Anderson B. Cooper, Jr.

Anderson B. Cooper, 90, passed peacefully in his home on August 22, 2024 from dementia surrounded by family. Known as Pete by all who knew him (or Cooper , Cowboy, and Angel Pie by his wife Julie), he was a kind man who loved his family fiercely. Pete grew up in Columbia and Winnsboro and talked frequently about his boyhood with his brother. Their stepmother owned a country store on Hwy. 34 in Winnsboro and they spent time there as children. He loved reminiscing about his childhood years and all the mischief he and his brother got into. Pete served in the U. S. Air Force in his younger days for four years as a Basic Airman in the Air Patrol in the Air Police Squadron. He then worked for a while as a tv repairman and could fix anything that was broken. He proudly worked for the Columbia Fire Department for 35 years and drove Engine 16. He loved what he did and still talked about his days at the fire department to this day. He could still name streets and parts of the truck. He loved the guys and the camaraderie and enjoyed being the cook for them all. His second career was spent working for years at the Palmetto Club in downtown Columbia. He was also involved for a time working with the rodeo circuit when they came to town. He was also a Master Mason with the Masonic Lodge on Maple Street in Columbia, SC. He loved cooking and always cooked for the family. He opened his own catering company decades ago because he loved doing it so much and even catered his daughter’s wedding. He loved nothing better than “a little old steak” and when he cooked dinner you were lucky to eat at 9 PM because he was so meticulous about it. And that man loved some chicken wings! He’d even order them when we’d go out to eat Mexican food. Although he was a beach lover and Julie wasn’t, they loved the Charleston area and when dating didn’t think twice about jumping in his 60’s Corvette and cruising down to Shem Creek to have dinner and watch the sunset. He was a tremendous animal lover and all animals knew it. He was an animal magnet. His current dog Penny gave him great joy and stayed close by and kept him company. He loved his past grand dogs Bailey, Mac, and Wally and still talked about them. He has a current grand dog named Evie. Together for a total of 55 years, he is survived by his wife of 48 years, Julie Cooper, and his children Vickie Mayer Turnage and Doug Mayer (Elizabeth), beloved grandchildren Brenna Mayer (fiancé Ethan Thompson) and Carter Mayer to whom he was known as “Papa”, and two nieces, Kim Cooper-Dotson and Cindy Cooper Koehler. He is pre-deceased by his mother and father, his brother with whom he was very close, Lindsey Cooper, sister in law Georgia Turbeville Cooper, and nephew Spence Cooper. The family would like to thank the Irmo Fire Department for always helping, Angela and all of Superior Care Team, Pansy Wright, Iesha Smith, and Heart of Hospice. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in his memory to Final Victory Animal Rescue, 919 N. Lucas St., West Columbia, SC 29169. He lived a full life and was a true southern gentleman to the end…