Calvin G. Cooper

Calvin Gene Cooper completed his earthly journey on February 9, 2025, in East Moline Illinois with his loving wife Dorcas by his side.

Services are Noon on Monday, February 17, at New Life Apostolic Church of God, 218 35th Avenue, East Moline, with Pastor James Anderson officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Burial is 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, at Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors. Those wishing to attend are invited to meet in the parking lot at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. Memorials may be made to the family.

Calvin was the eldest of five children, Born to the late Dan and Ada (Louise) Cooper on July 21, 1960, in Nash County North Carolina.

Calvin was reared and educated in the Newport News Public School System and graduated from Menchville High School. After graduation he joined the United States Army and made this his career, serving twenty years. During this time, he completed several overseas tours, his most valiant being in the Operation Desert Storm detail, also known as the Persian Gulf War and was a Chaplain during his service. Calvin retired from the United States Army as E-7 Sergeant First Class. During one of his overseas tours of duty, Calvin met and married Wilhelmina Schaap from Brunssum, Netherlands. To this union they were blessed with two wonderful children, Calvin II and Christine. While serving his country Calvin continued to follow the path of salvation that was instilled in him as a child. He was saved and baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Calvin served as a youth bible class teacher, and president of the Garden of Prayer first Brotherhood organization.

On January 27, 1985, Calvin was ordained as a minister under the leadership of the late Pastor Georgia Coppedge, at the Garden of Prayer Apostolic Church, Newport News VA. He faithfully served as a Field Evangelist and supported many Apostolic churches even while serving in the military. Calvin will always be remembered for his work in spearheading the overseas Apostolic missions in the Philippines with Pastor Coppedge to which he made numerous pilgrimages.

In May 1996 Elder Cooper was welcomed into the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World fellowship (PAW) where he continued to dutifully serve the local church and pastors as God allowed. After retirement from the US Army, Calvin was employed by St. Ambrose University of Davenport, Iowa as the Associate Director of Campus security. While employed he continued his education, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in May 2006, as well as a Criminal Justice Master’s Degree in 2013 from St. Ambrose University.

In August 2006 Calvin was joined in holy matrimony to Dorcas Hines of Oklahoma City, OK. In 2009 Calvin and Dorcas became members of the New Life Apostolic Church of God, East Moline Illinois under the leadership of Pastor James Anderson, where Calvin proudly served as the Assistant Pastor. Elder Cooper was a willing servant, taking part as a Sunday school teacher, the church drummer, Chair of the Brotherhood, as well as starting the churches’ outreach program ministry, and started what is now the annual church picnic festival. Calvin especially enjoyed the men’s fellowship outings. But above all, Calvin enjoyed preaching and sharing God’s Word.

Calvin served as the Chaplin for the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, never missing a meeting until he could no longer attend. His many hobbies included collecting sabers, traveling, fishing, crystal rock digging, watching his Dallas Cowboys play, music and bowling. Calvin enjoyed just about any board game, (as he was very competitive). His enjoyment and solace were sitting on the Mississippi River spending time meditating on the Lord.

Calvin’s favorite things included spending time with his grandchildren, eating fried pork chops, lemon ice cream, and please do not forget his chocolate stash, and Reese’s Peanut Butter cups! He really had a thing about food, and he always made sure that there was plenty of food and soda pop on hand to offer guests who visited the house. Socializing with friends or family really made his day special.

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents Dan Lassiter Cooper and Ada (Louise) Cooper-Buchanan, and sister Denise Cooper Clayton. Calvin leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Dorcas Cooper, his son Calvin G. Cooper II, daughter Christina V. Cooper, six grandchildren Omari, Noel, Londyn, D’Angelo, Ariana, and Ursalina. He leaves his beloved siblings Deborah Cooper-Davis (Larry), Dan D. Cooper and Angela L. Burrell, one niece Teresa Cooper, two nephews, Daniel Clayton, and Carlton Morant. There are an extended number of family, countless friends and associates who will likewise miss Calvin. He will always be remembered for his committed service to the Lord and for his dedicated service to his country. His signature song was always, “I’m a Soldier in the Army of Lord.”

To the St. Ambrose University family, when you look into his office, and he is not sitting at his desk—just smile and say, “Calvin is gone fishing.”

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.