Earnest Morgan 'Earnie' Cooper, 77

Earnie passed away on Sunday morning, Aug. 26, 2012, at his residence in Hot Springs Village, Ark.

He was born March 31, 1935, and grew up in a farming family in Kalispell, the youngest of several siblings.

He enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 with his parents' consent and served honorably during his 20-year Naval career before retiring as a senior chief petty officer.

He served during the Vietnam War on a two-year, non-rotating deployment based in Yokosuka, Japan, from 1966 to 1968, with his family in tow. During this deployment his squadron performed several missions which included providing support to U.S. ground forces and Vietnamese refugee rescue operations.

He continued dedicated service in a civilian capacity for the U.S. Department of Defense in southern California for many years, before retiring from civil service.

He was enjoying retirement and he was active in his church and community.

Earnie is survived by his loving wife, Tina; children, Leanne Runnals, Wendy Johnson and John Cooper; grandchildren, Eric Runnals, Matthew Cooper and Robert Cooper; and seven stepchildren and their families.

Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village.

Arrangements are entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home. Guests may register at www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com