James Carl Cooper

“COOP”

June 24, 1941 – August 16, 2024

James Carl Cooper, known as “Coop”, passed away peacefully at his home in Mesquite, TX surrounded by his family on Friday, August 16, 2024. He was 83 years old.

James was born on June 24, 1941 in Stafford, Kansas. He was the son of Carl and Chloe Cooper and the brother of Charles, Doug, Keith, and Kay Cooper. His childhood years were spent in Duncan, Oklahoma and Lovington, NM. In 1955 his family moved to Midland, TX where he graduated from Midland High School in 1959.

In 1961, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a radioman aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard. He participated in a 10-month world cruise and received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service during the Vietnam armed conflict.

After his honorable discharge, he returned home to Midland where he met and married the love of his life, Josie Burrow Cooper, in 1966. They have two children Kerri Cooper Thornton of Mesquite, TX and James C. Cooper, Jr. of Alvarado, TX.

James served at the US Postal Service as a mail carrier. During his 38-year career, he received numerous commendations, including a “Million Mile” award for safe driving and workplace excellence.

James and Josie were active members of Second Baptist and Bellview Baptist Church communities until they moved to Mesquite in 2020. In Mesquite, they were welcomed into the Parkside Baptist Church family, where they served as weekly volunteers.

Through the years James enjoyed golfing, traveling, camping, and taking all the family photos. But, perhaps he will be remembered the most for his wittiness and his good-hearted jokes. Spreading smiles and laughs were some of his truest gifts.

James is preceded in death by his parents and each of his siblings. James was survived by his wife of 57 years Josie, his two children Kerri and Jim, 10 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

We hope all take solace in James’s unwavering faith in Christ and his heavenly home. We would like to leave you with the peace that we all know James felt resting in the Lord:

John 14:1-3

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

James Carl Cooper, age 83, of Mesquite, Texas passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024.

A visitation for James will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Parkside Baptist Church, 1729 Gross Rd, Mesquite, TX 75149. A funeral service will occur Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM, 1729 Gross Rd, Mesquite, Texas 75149. A visitation will occur Friday, August 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Bellview Baptist Church, 1710 N Big Spring St, Midland, TX 79701. A funeral service will occur Friday, August 23, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Bellview Baptist Church, 1710 N Big Spring St, Midland, TX 79701.