Man's death stuns family, neighbors
Delbert Cooper Jr. is the last person his neighbors would have expected to die by the hand of another man, they said.
The kindly, 36-year-old was found dead Monday night in his home on Elder Avenue in the Liberty Park community in North Charleston. He had suffered multiple stab wounds, Charleston County Deputy Coroner Dottie Lindsay said.
If the two little churches across the street from his house were a constant reminder to do well unto others, Cooper got that message. He made his living cutting grass, but he did it for his neighbors and never charged them a penny, they said.
"He used to come and cut the grass for us and take out the trash,"
To offer tips
To provide information about the stabbing death of Delbert Cooper Jr., call North Charleston police at 554-5700 or Crime Stoppers at 554-1111.
Britney Goodley said. "We offered him money, but he wouldn't take it. He was always saying we are like family, and he is giving back to the community."
His relatives called him Gary, but many of his neighbors knew him by the nickname "Fuji." He was single with no children and lived alone, but he had many friends in the neighborhood where he was raised.
His family said an acquaintance stopped by Cooper's little, white concrete-block house about 10 p.m. Monday and found the front door open. He contacted a church member, and when someone came to check on Cooper, the person discovered his body, they said.
Cooper had not been dead for long before police received the call, the deputy coroner said. Authorities released no other details about the death and had no suspects.
Cooper was a graduate of North Charleston High School and attended Morgan State University in Baltimore. He was a former Marine, and he attended Bethel Pentecostal Holiness Church across the street.
"He was a very loving young man. He loved to help people," said Joyce Jenkins, his aunt. "What happened to him, it's cruel, but God has the last say. Whoever did it, they will have to answer to God."
Cooper's death was North Charleston's 14th homicide of the year. He was the son of the late Delbert Cooper and is survived by his mother, Evangelist Daisy Cooper Reeves of North Charleston, and a sister, Danielle Washington of North Charleston.
Arrangements are being handled by Fielding Funeral Home in North Charleston.
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Comments
This article has 15 comment(s)
Posted by moonpie on November 19, 2008 at 6:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And right across the street from Libert Hill a nice subdivision non gated or no armed guards is being built! An attempt to lure affluent people into the war zone!
Posted by islandbenzbc on November 19, 2008 at 6:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a shame...sounds like a nice man who has been caught up in the crossfire of violence in North Charleston.
Posted by ColdBud on November 19, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Delbert Cooper Jr. appears to have been an outstanding human being. My condolences to the friends and family.
No one should be surprised when anyone in Liberty Park dies at the hands of another human being. It's gotten that bad.
Posted by sig on November 19, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another life lost to some welfare scum bags! Thanks DHHS. I hope that when they find out who did this they execute them quickly.
My condolences to the friends and family.
Posted by theronce on November 19, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All too common, so sad. Is it me; it seems like more than 14 to me.
Posted by ms_lady2u on November 19, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Extremely sad story!I never knew the victims real name, but he was a very well-loved & respectable young man...May the low life who committed this crime be removed from the streets....& condolences to the all the family & loved ones!
Posted by eyfigueroa on November 19, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences to the Cooper family.
CB: I was raised in Liberty Park. Once an enclave of lower middle class hard working folk most of who never became wealthy but managed to raise children and contribute to society.
The homes were modest as were the people. Yards weren't 'manicured' but well maintained. There used to be a club or two with rowdy patrons but eventually they were turned into churches. Kids played ball in the street and rode their bikes up and down sidewalks or played ball at the community center.
No, it wasn't I'On or the Hamlets. No fancy cars or big brick houses.
But it was home for me and my family.
I left in the mid 80s and never returned to live. Most of the grandparents and parents who raised me and my friends have since passed away. Those of my generation have gone on to get education and careers and have moved to the neighborhoods their parents only dreamed of living in.
Some of those who are left are some ne'er-do-wells who refuse to maintain homes/yards and could care less about helping to maintain the neighborhood. There is also an element of thugs and criminals who DO NOT live there but find the declining neighborhood a good spot to carry on their criminal activities then go back home to relative safety.
And also living in this declining neighborhood are the elderly and infirm that have no where else to go and do not want to leave the home they built 30, 40, 50 years ago. Some CAN’T leave because NO ONE will buy their homes so they are stuck.
I don’t know what can be done short of killing or incarcerating every being in the neighborhood (I’m sure there are a few of the regulars on this board who would advocate that).
As for my family, I visit them and assist them anyway that I can. And if anyone asks I say Liberty Park is where I’m from. I do so without shame or embarrassment because I remember the way it was and the way it could be again.
Posted by Thefutureisnow on November 19, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cowards that hide behind the anonymity of this forum like mooonpie are the low-order neo-KKK of this age. We are all God's children and should strive to be as Christ-like as possible while on this side of Eternity. Why not show love and compassion and offer up suggestions and possible solutions instead of race baiting and name calling?
Posted by Girleygirl on November 19, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Very sad- my condelences to the family and friends of Fuji
Posted by mypointofview on November 19, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences to the family. This young man appears to have been a fine example for how the rest of us should live our lives.
Posted by My_Master on November 19, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by Thefutureisnow on November 19, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Cowards that hide behind the anonymity of this forum like mooonpie are the low-order neo-KKK of this age."
Ummm.... I don't see you posting any of your personal info there, hotshot.
" We are all God's children and should strive to be as Christ-like as possible while on this side of Eternity. Why not show love and compassion and offer up suggestions and possible solutions instead of race baiting and name calling?"
When you say "name calling" do you mean like calling someone a "coward" or labeling them as the "low-order neo-kkk" ?
Just shut up, you stupid hypocrite.
Posted by MRSCVS on November 19, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To the family of Mr.Cooper I offer my deepest commiseration in your loss.
May GOD grant you all the comfort and strength you will need in the days, months ahead.
GOD BLESS
To the murder you time is coming sooner than you think....
Posted by SCSIGirl2 on November 19, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It does not matter what the geographical location was of this nice, young, caring veteran was. This young man is dead and nothing will change that fact. I will pray for him and his family, and hope that justice will be served on the guilty (unfortunately, it won't be the "eye for an eye").
Rest in peace Mr. Cooper.
Psalms 145:8-9
Posted by JohnS on November 19, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another murder. The Park Circle area is got to be one of the worst areas for violent crime. The area is not too far from the Mixon development. I bet workers have to wear bullet proof vest.
Posted by give_it_a_rest on November 20, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think liberty park is in the park circle area.