PERRY "DENNIS" COOPER, 56, of Marion Station, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

Born July 23, 1951 in Dover, Delaware, he was a son of Janice Sterling of Marion Station and the late Perry E. Cooper.

He was a correctional officer with Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover.

He was affiliated with Quindocqua United Methodist Church in Marion Station and Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Crisfield. He was on the original Steering Committee, and was a charter member of the Lower Somerset County Ambulance and Rescue Squad in Crisfield and was a member of the Redmen's Lodge in Fruitland.

He enjoyed drag racing, wrestling, and his pleasure was being on his tractor doing yard work. He had a great personality and loved to make people laugh with his jokes. He had the inspiring ability to make the best out of any bad situation. Everyone who met him truly loved him.

Extremely devoted to his family, he is survived by his mother and step-father who raised him, Janice and Bob Sterling of Marion Station; his wife, Debbie Cooper of Marion Station; two daughters, Sherri East and husband Jack of Crisfield and Jill Brown of Hebron; two step-daughters, Karen Briddell and husband Jimmy and Kimberley Widdowson and husband Todd, all of Princess Anne; his sister, Sharon Dickey and husband Sergei of New Castle, Delaware; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janet and Robert Welch of Salisbury, Bryan and Lisa Piercy of Deal Island, and Tess and Greg Cope of Hebron; six grandchildren, J.D., Robert and Christian East, Caitlyn Brown, Jimmy Briddell, III and Logan Ray Widdowson; and several nieces and nephews.

Along with his father, he was preceded in death by twin infant sons who died shortly after birth, Perry James and Dennis Robert Cooper; and his step-brother who died in 1990, Bobby Sterling, Jr.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 2 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield where friends may call one hour prior. The Rev. Carol Carlson will officiate and will be assisted by Rev. Matthew Sterling. Interment will follow in St. Paul's Cemetery in Marion Station.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be sent to Lower Somerset County Ambulance and Rescue Squad, LSCARS, P.O. Box 406, Crisfield, Maryland 21817.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com