To the editor:

A giant left us a month or so ago: Phil Cooper! His life was celebrated in September during a solemn and respectful, yet joyous memorial service at Tryon Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder, choir member and in many other areas of services, not the least of which was chairman of a pastor nominating committee, a daunting assignment.

The memorial service included a period when family members could share “remembrances.”  His brother managed to choke out the word “great” to refer to Phil. How right he was! Phil Cooper embodied so many virtuous personal qualities, an inventory could fill a book.  But, to me, the one underlying quality that justifies great is citizenship. That term is, sadly, less used today than it should be and was used more years ago to express the very highest respect for a person.