Mississippi mourns Buddy Cooper, longtime bus driver and Santa
FLORENCE, Miss. — Alex “Buddy” Cooper, a longtime Florence school bus driver and a familiar Santa Claus to generations across Rankin County and the state, died Saturday, May 16, after suffering critical injuries in a school bus crash earlier this month, his son Gabe Cooper said in a Facebook post.
“My dad went home to be with Jesus today,” Gabe Cooper wrote. “I want to deeply thank the support system the family has had throughout this ordeal,” he added.
The crash occurred May 11 on Highway 49 near Eagle Post Road in Florence when an 18-wheeler struck a Rankin County school bus head-on, authorities said. Cooper, 79, was driving the bus; officials said there were no students on board. Family members said the brakes on the 18-wheeler failed and that Cooper suffered catastrophic injuries, was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and was later left paralyzed from the neck down and battling internal injuries.
A fundraising campaign created after the crash described Cooper as a man who spent decades serving the community behind the wheel and as Santa Claus. “For years, he has brought joy to children and families as Santa Claus during the Christmas season,” the fundraiser said. Social media filled in the days after the wreck with tributes from former students, parents and community members remembering his kindness and generosity. In a previous interview with Darkhorse Press during a Christmas event, Cooper said, “The crowning achievement of my term as Santa is being Santa for the Governor, the First Lady, and you, the people of Mississippi.”
The Florence Police Department investigated the crash. Gabe Cooper said the family will announce details for a celebration of life at a later time and asked that donations be made to The Little Lighthouse in lieu of flowers. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
