In the 1970s, Lutz businessman Oscar Cooler made it his point to increase the available baseball fields in town and give youth more opportunities to play sports.
As a result of his efforts, the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex was constructed at Lutz-Lake Fern Road and Crooked Lane.
Cooler, who the complex is named after, passed away on June 13. He was 84 years old.Â
His legacy lives on at the sports complex, which now has not only baseball fields, but fields for softball, soccer and football along with picnic and concession stands. A nature park is also a part of the complex.
In a Tampa Tribune article about Cooler, 80 year old Lester "Boddie O'Steen said this about Cooler, "He’s a legacy out here," said O’Steen, a former Lutz Little League umpire. "He was a pillar of the Little League. His life was his children and other children."
Cooler's funeral services were held earlier this week by the Loyless Funeral Home in Land O' Lakes. For more information or to reach the family call the funeral home at 813-996-6610.
We'd like to know what's your favorite memory of playing at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex or of Mr. Cooler? Tell us in the comments.
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