James “Jim” William Cooper, 78, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010 at Via Christi Hospital. The celebration of the Mass will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church. The recitation of the Rosary will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Church.
Jim was born Oct. 10, 1931 in Climax, Kan., the son of Ira and Mary (Cross) Cooper. He attended schools both in El Dorado and Eureka. He joined the U.S. Navy and served his country during the Korean War. He volunteered, trained and qualified as a U.S. Navy Salvage Diver. He was always willing to serve and risk his life when called upon. He proved a salvage diver could do anything. After returning to the United States, he was married to Elizabeth Jane Murray on Aug. 14, 1955 in California.
They just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. He learned a strong work ethic on his grandfathers farm. As a young man he worked in the oilfields, Vickers Refinery, Skelgas, Getty and Texaco. He also owned and operated an upholstery shop and R&R Tree Service. After his retirement, he worked at the Corrections Department in the Post Office.
He had a passion for the game of golf and had played every day he could for the past 40 years. He had been a member of the American Legion and Prairie Trails Golf Clubs. He was so proud of his three holes in one. He loved to be with his coffee buddies at Braums keeping up with all the news.
Memberships included St. John’s Catholic Church, the American Legion, the V.F.W. and the U.S. Navy Salvage Divers Reunited.
Surviving family include: wife, Jane of the home; sons, James Tully Cooper and Tim and wife Chris Cooper, both of El Dorado; daughter, Tammy and husband John Burke of Boone, Iowa; brothers, Jack and JoEllen and Mike Cooper of El Dorado; sisters, Joan and David VanHaverbeke, Overland Park, Mary Ada and Ben Owens of Oklahoma and Pat Armstrong of Derby; grandkids, Sarah, Nick, Wade, Tim, Matt, Chris, Curtis and Cameron; and great-grandchildren, Will, Jackson and Lilly.
A memorial has been established with Hooked On Kids With Golf. Please share a memory at www.kirbymorrisfuneralhome.com.
