Stanley Ray Cooper, 53, a longtime reporter and manufacturer representative in NASCAR, passed away Saturday morning following a brief illness. Mr. Cooper was born in Inman, S.C., and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1976. He worked 12 years as a sports reporter at the News and Observer before becoming the first manufacturer media representative for Chevrolet in NASCAR.

During a 15-year stretch, he covered 467 consecutive races, earning the prestigious Joe Littlejohn Award and the George Cunningham Awards from the National Motorsports Press Association for his excellence in motorsports reporting. Mr. Cooper joined Dodge Motorsports in 2001 and worked as its manufacturing representative. He recently was honored with the Pocono Spirit Award by the NMPA.

Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Clarence Cooper. He is survived by his wife, Chris, his son, An drew, his daughter, Katy, and his mother, Evelyn White Cooper.

Visitation is Sunday at Forbis and Dick Funeral Home, 5926 West Friendly Ave., Greensboro, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and at the Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, Greensboro, Monday at 10 a.m. A celebration of Mr. Cooper's life follows at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Cooper requests donations to be made to the Victory Junction Gang Camp and Hospice of Greensboro.