Christopher Coover, 74, went to his eternal rest on December 14, 2021, in his home in Phoenix AZ, due to complications with Covid. He was born on September 22, 1947 in Berwyn, IL to March and June Coover. He grew up in Dallas, Texas where he attended and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in architecture and was one of the youngest elected members of the AIA College of Fellows. He spent the summer of 1969 working construction in Albany, NY where he met his future wife, the sister of his best friend Mike Munninger. He was married to Patricia on June 1, 1974 at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Albany. He worked for a few firms before setting up his own. He started Coover/Saemisch/Anderson (CSA) and Coover and Associates architecture firms, completed over 86 school projects including ASU West, The Heard Museum, Museum of Northern Arizona, Mesa’s Museum for the Youth. He was a devote Catholic who loved his faith, family, movies, hunting, and racing his homing pigeons.
Christopher is survived by his wife Patricia, children: Michael (Annie), Anne (Steve), Patrick (Ann Marie), Bryan (Noelle),
grandchildren: Olivia, Ali-June, Christo, Samuel, Patrick, Mary Jane, Ava, Lucy, March, Nellie, and Charlie, and siblings: Pat, March, Cathy.
He was preceded in death by Christo and Edward.
The Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 10:00a.m. followed by the burial at St. Francis Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Richard N.Card
We are sorry for your loss Chris was a great husband and father. I’ll always remember the summer we had in Phoenix when I was 13 . We miss you all and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God bless you all and comfort you always.
Erin Sweeney Morgan
Mrs. Coover and the Coover Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Coover’s passing. He was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
JanA Bommersbach
I have always admired Chris Coover for his strength as a father and husband and for his talent is an architect and a man who cared about his community. We were neighbors for decades no. I watched his family develop and grow and I know they will all spend the rest of their lives with fond memories of their father. Patty once said how lucky she was to be Chris’s wife and I know he will be in her heart forever. My love and prayers are with the entire family.
Debby McAllister
We are so sorry for your loss. Chris was a kind friend. We will miss him.
Love Debby and Tom McAllister
Lori and Mark Olson
I have one story about Chris that Patty shared with me awhile ago. At one point Chris and Patty were broken into and robbed. Chris happened to be home and upstairs at the time. He heard the commotion. He ran downstairs to see the robber running out the front door. Instead of calling the police he ran after him and stopped him. He asked why he wanted to steal from him. Instead of screaming and ranting at the guy Chris gently asked what the guy needed and what made him feel so desperate to rob someone. He offered the guy money and where he might go for help. That;s the kind of man Chris was….gentle…loving…kind …. You will be missed Chris…Peace
With much Love Mark and Lori Olson
Mark Olson
in 1986 I took a fall from a roof and shattered my hip. I was taken to Baptist hospital and put in rigid traction.
After the word got around that I was going to spend 42 days in a hospital bed without moving, some of my friends began to visit me. Chris was one of my first visitors…coming in about 6 am.,way earlier than normal hospital visiting hours . He had somehow convinced the nursing staff that he was Dr. Coover..just making rounds…and no one ever questioned him…. not that day or any of the rest of the 42 days he came in…..always bringing a newspaper and a coffee with cream. He never stayed long ..but EVERY DAY. His empathy and compassion was comforting to me.
When I was released from the hospital he asked for a favor from me. ….Simply attend 42 masses and pray for Christo. I was more than happy to do that. Chris’ was there for me when I needed him. Thats the kind of man he was…Rest in Peace Chris.
Claire Card
We are sorry to hear that your family has been touched by tragedy again. Chris was a kind and gentle soul who was devoted to family, and church. We hope that Chris is now in peace and reunited with his boys. We are sending our heartfelt thoughts to your family.
Roxana Rojo Yantos
Dear Mrs. Coover & Family, I worked with Chris at Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, and he always spoke fondly of all of you. May God bless him and bring you comfort.
Maria Silvia Barrios and family
Dear Chris, you made it to Heaven and are in good company. We admired your faith and trust in Christ and your love for mankind, you were a man of goodwill and you will be missed. But then now you are back home where you belong. It was an honour having met you.
Robert J Kelly
Forgive me, but I was travelling, and didn’t get the news until just now. I am grieved. I taught Chris’ children at St. Mary’s High School. I knew him and Patty very well. Good Fella….