James Cooper

JIM JAMES PAUL COOPER

ODESSA
James Paul Cooper, 86, of Odessa TX passed away November 1, 2010 at the LamunLuskSanchez Texas State Veterans Nursing Home in Big Spring TX. He was born 6281924 in Colorado City TX to Paul and Fannie Cooper. Jim was married to Helen Williams in Odessa on June 21, 1952.

James Paul graduated from Colorado City High School in 1942. Sports were his main interest and despite his small size, he was able to achieve success in high school football and district boxing. He was named AllDistrict Guard in 1941 and was the 1941Golden Gloves District Welterweight Champion. After his graduation, Jim joined the armed services in 1942. He continued boxing in the service. Jim received a discharge and decided to pursue his lifelong ambition to play football for Texas Christian University TCU. After two years at TCU in 19441945 as center and linebacker, Jim transferred to North Texas State where he played the same position. He graduated in 1948. He received much recognition at both colleges in football such as 1944 AllSouthwest Conference, 1944 Most Valuable Player, 1945 Most Outstanding Defensive Player in the Cotton Bowl while at TCU at North Texas State he was All Lone Star Conference in 1946 and 1947 and played in two bowl games. He was also listed as Honorable Mention Little AllAmerican. He received awards in boxing in Ft Worth in 1944 and 1945. In 2006, the TCU magazine made selections from the years 19002006 of football players who best represented TCU and Jim was selected in three categories: AllConference 1944, AllTime Letterman in 194445 and honorable mention player who best represented his jersey 56. Jim was recruited by several professional football teams but signed on with the Brooklyn Dodgers of the old AAFC. He played one year and then decided to begin his career in teaching and coaching.

Jim coached and taught in schools at Fabens TX, Odessa TX, Anchorage Alaska, and Amarillo ,TX from 1949 to 1985. He also received his masters degree in education with certification in administration at West Texas State in Canyon TX. In 1967 a professional football team from Odessa called the Comets and later the West Texas Rufneks of the Continental League recruited Jim as the defensive coach. The team had to disband after several years because the league wanted to televise the games and the OdessaMidland area did not have a large enough audience.

In 1985 Jim retired from the Odessa school system where he was Driver Education Supervisor. He then could devote full time instead of part time to enjoy his family, gardening, home remodeling, yard work and time fishing at his lake home. He loved to entertain his students, friends and medical personnel and patients at the nursing homes. Singing to others was one of his passions and fortunately he had a good voice. Playing 42 and other games was a pastime he enjoyed especially in his younger years. Whatever he did at work or at play he gave his very best effort.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Cooper of Odessa, Tx daughter, Carla McGinley of Katy, Tx son, Craig Cooper of Odessa, Tx grandchildren, Morgan, Jordan, DAlainey Cooper of Odessa, Tx, and Lindie Cooper of Lemore, Ca great grandchildren Brooklyn Cooper of Odessa, Tx, and Makayla Cooper of Lubbock, Tx nieces and nephews and their families: Mark Triplett of Plano, Tx, Tracy Triplett and Kevin Triplett of Austin, Tx Shannon Scott of Searcy, Ark and brotherinlaw Dr. Harold Williams and his family of San Antonio, Tx.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 12 between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 6851 E. Hwy 80 in Odessa. TX 79762. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 13 at the Odessa Tabernacle Church, 2406 Oakwood Drive, Odessa TX 79761.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Jim Cooper Memorial Football Scholarship at TCU, Box 297044, Ft. Worth TX 76129 or given online at www:frog links.com click the make a gift now box.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, November 12, 2010
68 PM

Service

Memorial Service

Odessa Tabernacle
2406 Oakwood
Odessa, TX  79761
Saturday, November 13, 2010
12:00 Noon

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

TCU
Ft. Worth, TX  76129