John Francis "Jack" Cooper
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John Francis "Jack" Cooper, 80, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Houston Methodist Hospital. He was born January 12, 1942, in Joliet, Illinois, to Gladys Marie Smith Cooper and James LaVern Cooper.
After graduating Loyola University in Chicago, Jack enlisted in the United States Army. As an officer, he oversaw protecting a small village in Vietnam. When he left, the villagers gave him an original painting they made for him as a thank you for his unit protecting them. Upon returning from Vietnam, he was stationed at Fort Hood where his life was forever changed. One fateful night, he went to a musical performance by the Beaumont group, Melody Maids, and saw on stage his forever future partner, Linda Dickson. After her performance, he approached Eloise Milam (the director) for permission to speak to Linda. He was denied. He followed their bus to their next performance to ask again. He was again denied. As always. Jack Cooper never gave up, and the third time was the charm. He finally was able to meet Linda and speak with her (with a chaperone, or course). From that moment on, both of their lives were forever changed.
After getting married in Texas, having children in New York and IL, Linda asked Jack to make their home in Beaumont, Texas in 1981. He worked as a certified financial planner for many years and then worked with his brother-in-law at Mason Construction for a decade before retiring. After retirement, Jack and Linda began traveling the world. According to Linda, every place was their favorite place and favorite trip!
He was a proud member and a hard worker for the Men of Jude and Knights of Columbus. He was a devoted member of St Jude's Catholic Church. The family would like to thank his church family and group family for their friendship and support for Jack.
To know Jack, you knew he was a proud Irish man! He loved his Busch beer (even though no one gave his beer any respect)! He loved his Chicago teams and supported them even when they lost! However, he loved his wife more than anything. He fought a hard medical battle this last year (between heart attacks and kidney failure to pushing hard to get to Houston to have a heart surgery to save his life) all to make sure he was still with his love. He fought a courageous battle. However contracting COVID right before his heart surgery his body could no longer fight. His family is so proud of how hard he fought in his life for them and are so grateful to have been a part of his life. The family would like to thank Dr. Timothy Colgan for giving Jack hope to fight! There are not enough words to express how much his support for Jack means to them.
His family has been told countless times over the last few days that Jack resonated truth. There were no hidden agendas. He was genuine to the core.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Cooper of Beaumont; son, Kevin Cooper of Plano; daughter, Caroline Adair and her husband, Wade, of Beaumont; brothers, Jim Cooper of Sarasota, Florida; Bob Cooper and his wife, Paula, of Wilmington, Illinois; grandchildren, Robert Adair III, Kristin Adair, Maisyn Adair, Madelyn Adair, and five great-grandchildren.
A gathering of Mr. Cooper's family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 1, 2022, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive. His interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont. The family please requests that you wear proper face covering and observe social distancing guidelines.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 700 North Street Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Complete and updated information can be found at Broussards1889.com.