Eric Van Cooper, Sr. was born on March 8, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland
to the late Wilbur Cooper and Doreatha Howard.

Eric received his formal education in the Baltimore City Public School
System. "Mudgie" as he was affectionately known started working at

the young age of eight delivering groceries for A&P Supermarket and
delivering the Baltimore Post Newspaper. This would be the beginning
of a lifelong pattern, for Mudgie always worked, whether it was for
Cloverland Milk, or the Baltimore City Department of Public Works
where he later retired. He lived his entire life in Cherry Hill and never
wanted to live anywhere else. Everyone knew him, and he knew
everybody. There are many who will miss him for they relied on his
generosity, because he was a man of his word. "If he said he would do it,
then it was done". He loved watching football games on Sunday but he
especially loved playing basketball when he was younger. He enjoyed a
I ively game of pinochle and he was known to get a game together at the
drop of a hat, no matter where he was or what needed to be done. But
most of all, he was devoted to his family. After the passing of his
beloved sister, he would make a point of getting everyone to his
apartment for Easter and Christmas, where the food and drink was
plentiful and usually everyone stayed late into the night talking and
having fun, all were welcome. He was also known for his meatloaf and
potato salad meals that he lovingly delivered every Mother's Day.

Mudgie was preceded in death by his sister Ruby (Julip), brothers, Issac
(Baby Rip), Marvin (Redds), Wilbur (Horse), Reuben and two of his
sons, Antoine and Anthony.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 43 years, Linda Cooper,
four daughters, Nicky (Kenneth), Erica, Suria (Wendall) and Tausha,
two sons, Eric Jr. (Soria) and Reuben (Chantiera), Thelma Jones (Aunt),
Lucille Bailey (Mother-in-Law), four brothers-in-law, five sisters-in-law,
nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends. He was also
blessed to have 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Mudgie had a special bond with his sister Julip's children and
grandchildren, but his favorite was Monica, who cared for him and his
wife in their time of illness and never complained.

Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Tuesday, February 06, 2018 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Wednesday, February 07, 2018 09:30 AM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Funeral to begin @ 10A Directions