Warren Harding Cooper, age 90, of Morehead, Kentucky, legendary basketball player, coach, and referee, passed away Monday, December 13, 2010, at the home of his daughter. Born October 8, 1920, in Brooksville, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Alfred and Mary Cooper. His wife, Lake Cornett Cooper, retired Morehead State University math professor, former Morehead City Council member, and spirited sports fan, preceded him in death on March 17, 1997. Mr. Cooper is survived by one son, Fred Cooper, and one daughter, Penny Cooper Alderman, both of Morehead, Kentucky; eight grandchildren, Dara Alderman Cloern (Boyd), Chase Alderman (Melissa), M-Shae Alderman, Chris Cooper (Sarah), Philip Cooper, Dakota Cooper, Katie Cooper, and Caleb Cooper; and three great grandchildren, Henry and Cooper Cloern, and Caroline Cooper. Other survivors include one brother, Dale Cooper and one sister, Eva Carpenter, both of Brooksville, Kentucky; several nieces and nephews; other family members; and numerous long-time friends. Coach Cooper began playing basketball at his school in Brooksville in the eighth grade. After completing chores, he would practice his shooting technique by moonlight on an old rim that he nailed up on the side of his family-s barn. To this day, many of his Brooksville family and friends just refer to him as -Moonie.- Regarding basketball, Coach said, -It-s been my life. Period.- A student at Brooksville High, Cooper played in his first state basketball tournament in 1938. A year later, he and his brothers, Earl and Marvin, brought the Kentucky High School Basketball Championship home to Brooksville and both Coach and Marvin were selected to the Kentucky All State Team. In 1941, Cooper was recruited to Morehead State Teachers College. Reportedly, he was sensational with his one-handed hook shot, using either his right or left hand. During his three years as an Eagle, Morehead won 40 games and lost 19. In 1944, Cooper scored 39 points against the Louisville Cardinals on their court, a record for a single game in the KIAC up to that time. He also led the Eagles to victory on the national scene, especially in the New York and Boston area. One sports writer referred to Morehead College as -Cooper College- because of Cooper-s aggressive rebounding, deadly shooting, and slick passing. Cooper became the second All-American at Morehead State College. His retired jersey, No. 25, hangs in the Academic-Athletic Center on campus. After his graduation from Morehead in 1945, Cooper married his college sweetheart, Lake Cornett, and they returned to Brooksville, where he began his successful 25-year career as a coach. (He loved to remind people that he beat her Hindman High School team in the state tournament and then came home and married her.) Cooper then moved to Perry County and took his Dilce Combs team to the state tournament in 1954, a team of remarkable talent that he still told stories about when he was 90. In 1956, Cooper became the Morehead High School Vikings Coach (now Rowan County Senior High School). During his first year as the Vikings Coach, he initiated the winning tradition as the Vikings won 19 games--compared to 2 games the previous year. Rowan County reached the regional tournament nine times during his 14 years as head coach. In addition to coaching, he was a math, physical education, and economics teacher as well as assistant principal during his 34 years as an educator. He retired in 1980. While a basketball player at Morehead State in 1941, Cooper began refereeing high school games. For the next 36 years, he distinguished himself as an official calling high school and college basketball games throughout Kentucky. Selected as a referee for four state tournaments, he is perhaps the only person to have played, coached, and officiated in the Sweet Sixteen boys- basketball tournament. In recognition of his accomplishments, Cooper has been the recipient of many honors and awards. He was inducted into MSU-s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985, Dawahare-s KHSAA Hall of Fame in 1990, and RCSHS-s Alumni Hall of Fame in 2010. He was named to the KABC Coaches Court of Honor in 2007 and the Sweet Sixteen Official Hall of Fame in 1985. He was selected as the Outstanding Official by the NEKBOA in 1973. As a tribute to his legacy, the Rowan County School Board named the high school gym the -Warren H. Cooper Gymnasium- on February 8, 2002. The same day was proclaimed by the Mayor of Morehead -Coach Warren H. Cooper Day- citing his positive impact on young people and the community as a whole and his many years of service and dedication to his athletes and students. During his retirement years, Cooper never lost his zest for the game of basketball. He also found joy in precious moments spent with his family-especially the grandchildren--farming, raising cattle, and gardening. A longtime member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Cooper once stated: -Maybe the Lord is a basketball man. He must be if he took care of me.- Coach Cooper said that without basketball, he never would have received a college education or had the chance to positively influence many young lives. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, family has asked that donations be made to the Warren H. Cooper Basketball Scholarship Fund, c/o Rowan County Superintendent-s Office, 121 E. Second St., Morehead, KY 40351. Scholarships will be based on need and awarded to high school senior basketball players who wish to pursue a college education. Visitation is after 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals. Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Thursday, December 16, 2010, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with the Rev. H. G. Pratt officiating. Burial will follow in the Caudill Cemetery at Sharkey. Pallbearers will be Curt Cundiff, Gary Trent, Ted Trent, Sid Caudill, Don Hardin, Bobby Brown, and Bo Bo Crawford. Honorary pallbearers will be all former basketball players. Visitation: Wednesday, December 15, 2010, after 5 p.m. Funeral: Thursday, December 16, 2010, at 10 a.m. Interment: Caudill Cemetery, Sharkey, Kentucky