Mr. Ronald Lee Cooper, age 67, of Dalton, Georgia, crossed the finish line Monday evening, January 6, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Ronald was born November 7, 1946 in Dalton, Georgia, a son of the late Wilburn and Daisy Sutton Cooper. He was also preceded in death by an infant son, Mickey Lee Cooper, his sisters, Faye Wilson, Carolyn Cooper and brothers, Doyle Cooper and Lloyd Cooper. Ronald was retired from the City of Dalton where he worked for over twenty five years as a mechanic.

Ronald was an avid race fan. He loved racing. It didn't matter if it was dirt track, modified, NASCAR or two kids on tricycles. In the mid sixty's he had his own race car and raced all over North Georgia and Southeast Tennessee. Later in the eighty's he and his son, Marty, built their own race car. Nothing made Ronald happier or as proud as watching Marty race. Special thanks is due to his daughter, Tanya, who's love and special care made the last several months of her father's life better. Also his two sisters, Dorothy and Louise who were so attentive to their baby brother.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Tanya and Jim Mainor of Dalton, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Cynthia Cooper of Rocky Face, GA; grandchildren, Hannah Hughes, Mickey and Molly Cooper and Stephanie Cooper; great-grandchildren, Vaidyn Payne and Creedence Miller; sisters, Dorothy McDonald of Tunnel Hill, GA, and Louise Oliver of Dalton, GA; several nieces and nephews.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Ronald Lee Cooper will be held Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with Reverend Bret Yaeger officiating. He will be laid to rest at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery with Brian McDonald, Mickey Cooper, Jeff Fowler, Virgil Whiseant, Kris Thomas and Junior Williams serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, Dalton, GA. (706)226-4002 YOUR SELECTED INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOME