Cooper C. Tomlinson
April 7, 1958 – June 29, 2019
In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place and a gathering to celebrate his life will take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 61, passed away on June 29, 2019. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 7, 1958 to Philip and Joy Lou (Cook) Tomlinson. Cooper graduated from Loy Norrix High School, where he was a star athlete in both cross country and track & field. Cooper was a very talented abstract artist and followed his dream of living and working in California for over 30 years and had recently returned to Kalamazoo. Cooper was known to be an exceptional human being to anyone who knew him and had an adventurer’s soul. Upon his return from England, he took a solo journey on his bicycle from New York to California. He will be dearly missed by all that loved him. Cooper was preceded in death by his brother, Bruce Tomlinson. He leaves to cherish his memory, his parents, Philip and Joy Tomlinson of Kalamazoo; brother Peter Tomlinson and sister-in-law, Houston Sams of Los Angeles, California and brother George Tomlinson of Kalamazoo as well as other extended family.
Saddened to hear of Cooper’s passing. Cooper was certainly a unique and talented man, thoughts go out to all of the Tomlinson family and Coops many friends
A fun and creative soul gave Cooper such amazing energy in life. Westchester Lane and Springhill bought together as many as 21 children playing kick the can, kick ball at Bardenes Hollow, knock up and laydown, red rover red rover send Cooper over! We laughed and played until all the horns, bells and whistles called us home for supper. It was a magical childhood that built warm memories for all. I stayed in touch with Cooper in Los Angeles, and again with his return to Kalamazoo. I will miss dear Cooper. His memory will live on with me and so many others that knew him. xo Maridee
Cooper C. Tomlinson was a creative iconoclast unto his own. I am devasted at his passing and will cherish the time we shared. May flights of angels sing you to your rest, my sweet.
I lived around the corner from Cooper in Echo Park in the late 90s. I remember long unhurried sunset walks with Cooper in Elysian park with Hopi talking about whatever it is young people talk about. I loved his good-natured sneaky laugh, like Muttley the dog, and his absolute open-armed joy in life. Cooper was an extraordinary soul, and I am grateful to have shared a bit of the trail with him.
I will forever recall his vigorous yet playful pursuit of creativity. He was a eternal boy with an ages-old soul. Some significant energy leaves the earth with him and for that, and other things, I am sad.