Memorial Services Set for Warren Cooper Pioneer Air Traffic Controller and Forensic Drug Testing Industry Leader

Warren Cooper. Photo courtesy of Wyn-Win Communications
Warren Cooper. Photo courtesy of Wyn-Win Communications

Memorial Services Set for Warren Cooper
Pioneer Air Traffic Controller and Forensic Drug Testing Industry Leader

CHICAGO, IL – Memorial services for Warren Cooper, founder of the nation's first wholly Black-owned forensic drug testing laboratory and the first African American air traffic controller assigned to the FAA's O'Hare Tower, will be held Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at New Life Covenant Church, The Tabernacle, 1028 East 78th Street, Chicago.

Cooper died in January from complications of heart disease. He was 72 years old.

A 1973 graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, Cooper broke barriers early in his career when he joined the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic control specialist at O'Hare International Airport in 1980. At the time, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport, and Cooper became the first African American controller certified for O’Hare. He served as an air traffic control specialist from 1980 to 1983, then as an air traffic control supervisor from 1983 to 1992, earning the FAA's Exceptional Employee Award.

Cooper attended the University of St. Louis Law School from 1976 to 1978 before launching his second groundbreaking career.

In 1993, he founded ACCU-Lab Medical Testing, Inc., establishing the nation's first and only wholly Black-owned forensic drug testing laboratory. He first made national headlines in 1993 when he warned consumers that a popular herbal arthritis remedy was causing false positive drug test results that were costing people their jobs.

That same year, Cooper testified before Congress about federal guidelines that effectively barred minority-owned laboratories from obtaining SAMHSA certification required by DOT-regulated industries. Despite being shut out of that lucrative market, Cooper built ACCU-Lab Medical Testing into a nationally respected provider of forensic drug testing services whose results stood up in court. For many years, ACCU-Lab was the preferred provider of forensic drug testing for the Cook County Adult Probation program.

A vocal crusader for educating individuals subject to drug testing, Cooper became a nationally sought-after consultant on drug testing issues. He co-authored a chapter on measuring Impairment that has been included in the Colorado, Michigan and Wisconsin editions of Medicolegal Aspects of Marijuana. As instant drug test cups gained widespread use, Cooper sounded the alarm again, warning consumers that instant tests often failed to meet forensic standards while returning a higher percentage of false positives.

Cooper operated ACCU-Lab until 2019. After closing the laboratory, he joined the board of the 1700 E. 56th Street Condominium Association, serving first as a director and later as vice president. His sharp business and financial acumen earned him the nickname “Mr. 1700” because his oversight saved owners hundreds of thousands of dollars by carefully reviewing proposed purchases.

Throughout his career, Cooper’s public service earned recognition including selection to Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, the Ground Breaker Award from the Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce, a Minority Business Opportunity Council Appreciation Award, and the Minority New Innovative Business Award from Minority Enterprise Development. His advocacy on behalf of consumers won him an Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Effort from the Midwest Community Council; his aviation career was recognized with an Exceptional Employee Award from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Beyond his professional achievements, Cooper was deeply involved in his community. He was an early participant in Real Men Cook—his specialty was sweet potato cheesecake—which began as a fundraiser for South Side YMCA. In addition to his service on the condo board, Cooper was a member of the Chicago Urban League, the NAACP, the Governor’s Club and a deacon of United Faith Temple. An avid traveler and golfer, Cooper traveled and golfed across the Caribbean; he was especially fond of St. Kitts, where he had planned to retire.

Cooper is survived by his wife, Vickie Holmes Cooper.


MEMORIAL SERVICE DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: New Life Covenant Church, The Tabernacle
1028 East 78th Street
                        Chicago, IL

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