Kooper McCabe, a 17-year-old senior at Galion High School, passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. His death shocked and saddened his family, friends, classmates, teachers, and coaches, who remembered him as a charming, charismatic, outgoing, and funny person who touched more lives than he even knew.
A Passionate Student-Athlete
Koop, as he was affectionately called, was a student-athlete who loved nutrition, weightlifting, diesel trucks, fast cars, and his family. He was on the football and wrestling team at Galion High School, where he excelled as a nose guard and a fullback. He also recently started working at Roosters Restaurant in Mansfield as their first male host, according to his obituary.
Koop moved to the defensive line for his senior year after spending a lot of time in the weight room. He lined up beside his best friend, Landon Kurtzman, who said that Koop was always smiling and making his teammates smile. “He was like his own cartoon character,” Kurtzman said.
Koop’s football coach, Matt Dick, said that Koop was playing really well and kept things light in the locker room, even though the Tigers had gotten off to an 0-2 start. “He was always smiling and making his teammates smile,” Dick said. “He was like his own cartoon character.”
A Sudden and Tragic Loss
The details of Kooper McCabe Galion Ohio cause of death are not yet known, but his obituary stated that he passed away unexpectedly at home. His death came as a shock to the Galion community, which had just started the new school year two weeks ago.
The superintendent of Galion City Schools, Jen Allerding, sent out a letter to students’ families, informing them of the tragic news and offering counseling and support services. “In moments of tragedy, there are often no words that can console or relieve us from our grief. The loss of any member of our Galion community is sure to impact us all. Over the coming days and weeks, we will all experience a number of emotions, and it is critical we band together to support each other and our students,” she wrote.
The school also held a team meeting and a short practice for the football team, where Dick emphasized to his players that while everyone grieves differently, they should grieve together and make good decisions. He also urged them to honor Koop’s memory by playing hard and having fun on the field.
A Celebration of Life
Koop’s family and friends gathered on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at Wesley Chapel in Galion, where a visitation and a celebration of life ceremony were held. Koop’s obituary described him as “a charming, charismatic, outgoing funny person who touched more lives than he even knew.”
Koop is survived by his parents, Herbert D. III and Jessica R. (Redmon) McCabe; sister Lydia R. McCabe; twin brother, Ryder G. McCabe; maternal grandmother, Brenda Frost of Galion; numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by Shelby Ann Lust; great-grandfather, Ulis Hess; great-grandmother, Vernie Walter; grandparents, Nancy and Bill Bollinger and great-grandparents, Roslie and Harrison Redmon.
Koop’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him. He will be remembered as a bright, cheerful, and talented young man who had a zest for life and a passion for sports. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, classmates, teachers, and coaches, who will cherish the memories they shared with him.
