Ferguson directs flags at half-staff to honor former Mayor Mike Cooper

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has directed that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Friday, Sept. 26, in memory of former Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper.

Cooper had battled cancer for 17 years. (Read a Beacon story from 2016 on Cooper’s battle with leukemia.)

"I am deeply saddened by the death of former Legislator Mike Cooper," Ferguson said in a news release. "I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on  Sept. 25. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, Sept. 26, or first thing Monday morning, Sept. 28."

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

A celebration of Cooper's life is at 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Olympia First Baptist Church.

As the Beacon reported last month,  Cooper, appointed Edmonds mayor in 2010 after three-term Mayor Gary Haakenson resigned to become Snohomish County’s deputy executive, died Aug. 20. He was 74.

In addition to his public service, Cooper was a wrestling fan and an announcer for Edmonds-Woodway High School’s wrestling team for 34 years. He graduated from Edmonds High School in 1970, where he played on the wrestling team.

Cooper served as a lieutenant in the Shoreline Fire Department for 26 years before retiring in 2006. He was active in Local 1760, serving on the executive board for 20 years and serving as president for 15.  

In 2010, Cooper received the WSCFF Walt Lambert Trade Union Leadership Award. Cooper was elected to the WSCFF Retirees Association Board in June 2023.  

Cooper served four terms in the Washington State House of Representatives, where he fought for legislation that benefited firefighters and their families. Approaching retirement in 2015, Cooper and his wife, Chrystal, sold their longtime home on Maple Street in Edmonds, a house on the Edmonds Register of Historic Homes known as the Palmer House. Cooper's parents built it in 1895 and purchased it in 1965.

After settling in Elma in Gray’s Harbor County, Cooper remained active in his community, serving on the Elma City Council and as chair of the Washington State Democratic Party Labor Caucus.