Gone but not Forgotten

Gone But Not Forgotten

There are those that enter our lives whom we will never forget. Some affect us positively and yet some affect us in other ways, but nevertheless these experiences are all a part of our life’s journey.  There is one person in particular that will live on in memory.  He made many significant contributions to his family and his community.  He was a man of many talents i.e., he was a skilled craftsman, not a handyman. He could repair cars, he was a gifted carpenter, he could diagnose and repair computers among his myriad of abilities. He was brilliant but humble. His God given “fix-it” gifts were in a sense his ministry. This man cared for others in the community no matter what creed, color, religion or natural origin. In other words, he did not discriminate when help was needed, which further emphasizes his unintended ministry.

This man would make himself available day or night to anyone in the community that needed help and oftentimes would not ask for anything in return.  If your heating or air system malfunctioned, he would come to your aid, day or night, no matter the time. He left us way too soon. However, his concern and caring for his community did not go unnoticed. The community put in the work, contacted local government and the result was a street named in his honor. Additionally, his place of employment (before his transition) presents a yearly award in his honor to employees there that exemplify excellent job performance.   Our community wants his family to know via this written tribute how much he was loved and cherished by the members of the Lake Forest Subdivision. We will never forget our angel that was here on earth in the embodiment of a man named Al Cooper.  Gone, but not forgotten.

Though this article is personal it hopefully will serve as a tribute to all of the Al Coopers in communities throughout the country.  If you have someone in your community that looks out for everyone else, you are truly blessed. Maybe some of the things mentioned in this article will encourage others to become an “Al Cooper”.  As a country we have lost that long ago sense of community where everyone looked out for each other, expecting nothing in return.  We all need help from time to time. Some need help but won’t ask. If you see a neighbor that needs assistance, take the time to offer help.  These sorts of actions can reinvigorate the good feelings that come from living in a neighborhood where everyone respects and treats their neighbors as they themselves wish to be treated. In the words of Mr. Rogers, famous for his television neighborhood seen by millions, “If you could only sense how important you are in the lives of people you meet, there is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person”.  Be like Al Cooper, leave only good things and bring a smile to someone’s face. Thumbs up, like and share.

Marvin Dixon, Founder

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