Former Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper dies at 74

Mike 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. Family members confirmed his death.

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

“I am saddened by the loss of former Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper," said Mayor Mike Rosen. "Mike dedicated much of his life to public service, much of it connected to the community he called home. He grew up in Edmonds, where his father served as the City’s first full-time paid fire chief.

"We remember and honor Mike’s service to his community, including 26 years as a firefighter, four terms in the Washington State Legislature, service on the Snohomish County Council, and his service as mayor of Edmonds.

"On behalf of the City of Edmonds, I extend my deepest condolences to Mike’s family, friends, former colleagues, and all those who knew and worked alongside him. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”

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 was a member of the wrestling team.

Cooper’s term as mayor was a short one. He ran to maintain his seat after his term expired, but lost to Dave Earling in the general election.

His term was tumultuous.

In 2011, Human Resources Director Debi Humann filed a written complaint alleging Cooper wrongfully terminated her on Sept. 22 in retaliation for providing documents detailing improper payroll practices involving his executive assistant, Kimberly Cole, who resigned the same day Humann filed her complaint.

Humann contended that Cooper knowingly made false statements to the media to protect his own reputation and to punish her for cooperating in a Washington State Auditor’s Office investigation into the controversy surrounding his assistant.

Cooper justified his decision to terminate Humann by stating that his “level of trust” in her had “deteriorated to a place where (he) no longer had confidence in her ability to do the job and to work effectively with (him).”

In January 2012, the City released an investigation report clearing Humann of any wrongdoing concerning her role in the timesheet investigation. In 2015, a jury in Seattle awarded her $1.035 million in her civil suits against Cooper and the City of Edmonds.

Lifetime of service

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 holding the position of 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. Flags flew at half-staff in Elma through Monday of this week in Cooper's honor, according to the Daily World in Aberdeen.

“Mike brought a lot of experience to the Elma City Council, but what stood out most was his perspective,” wrote Elma Mayor Josh Collette on the City’s website. “He understood that effective local government involves listening to residents, collaborating to find solutions, asking difficult questions, and planning ahead for the future.

“Mike cared deeply about Elma. He generously shared his time, knowledge, and experience, always aiming to help our community move forward. He recognized the importance of local government and the positive impact that thoughtful leadership can have on people’s lives.”

“He had a booming voice, a huge personality, and an incredible ability to bring people together,” wrote Ricky Walsh of the International Association of Fire Fighters, 7^th District, in a Facebook post.

“He spent his life standing up for working people, firefighters and their families, and those who needed someone willing to fight for them. He understood politics, but more importantly, he understood people. He believed in finding common ground, building consensus, and getting things done.

Read more about Mike Cooper in the archives of edmondsbeacon.com.