Deacon James Cornelius Cooper Sr. was born on December 2,1935 in Jenkins Kentucky. He was the seventh of eight children born to Edd Joe and Hattie {Thomas) Cooper and was the last to depart. We praise God for 90 years of grace and mercy.

James suffered severe burns at the age of thirteen while adding fuel to a fire that heated the stove in his classroom in Kentucky. It was said that if he had swallowed the flames he would not have survived. James graduated from Jenkins High School. As the team captain, he was an excellent basketball player who was awarded a full basketball scholarship to Swift Memorial College. However, due to the severity of the burns over his upper body, James declined the scholarship since the uniforms would have exposed his burns. James was instrumental in teaching his father, Bishop Edd Cooper, how to drive and would often drive him to church meetings in Kentucky and West Virginia. Family and friends nicknamed him “Man” because he worked with his hands fixing, building things, and making toys and wagons for the neighborhood. After graduation he moved to New York City where he married his high school sweetheart, Yvonne Walters on October 4, 1955. They celebrated 70 years of marriage this past October. Born to this union were six children, sadly one of whom was a stillborn baby boy. We continue to honor his place in the family, safe in God’s care.

Deacon Cooper was a very hard worker, committed to providing for his family. He endured hardships growing up in a coal mining camp. Therefore, he showered his family with the best things in life that he could bestow upon them. While living in New York, he was a dedicated worker in a Hatterie factory where he took pride in the hats he made. He was well respected by neighbors and children who lived in the Marcy Projects where he was greeted at the end of a long workday with “good evening Mr. Cooper.” After the death of his Mother, Deacon Cooper longed to be saved. He traveled to Akron Ohio where his brother lived, gave his life to the Lord and was filled with the Holy Ghost. Drugs and gangs began to infiltrate the city of New York, so Deacon Cooper decided to move the family to Akron Ohio in June of 1973.

In Akron he worked at Akron Children’s Hospital, Good Year Rubber Company, Roadway Trucking Company and later retired from Chrysler Twinsburg Stamping Plant. Deacon Cooper was a dedicated member of the Church of God Militant Pillar and Ground of Truth in Akron Ohio where he served faithfully under the Pastorates of Mother Alma Walker, Pastor Ronald Henry Sr., Pastor Michael Armour, and his Pastor and Son-in-Law Henry Brunson Sr. He was an asset to the body of Christ where he served faithfully as a member of the Senior choir, and the Deacon and Trustee Boards. He was a gifted soloist as well. He was instrumental in the upkeep and maintenance of the church at 200 Cole Avenue. He also helped prepare MPGT Convention Centers in Columbus Ohio, and Springfield Ohio, for the National Meetings.

When sickness began to permeate his body, Deacon Cooper continued to rejoice in the God of his Salvation. He transitioned from earth to glory at the Timberland Ridge Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Fairlawn, Ohio on May 19, 2026. There he was beloved and affectionately called “Coop Coop.” He was a “staple” at the nursing home, where he is greatly missed.

Deacon Cooper was preceded in death by his parents, Bishop Edd Joe Cooper and Evangelist Hattie Louise Cooper, Son, James Cooper Jr., Siblings, Eddye Lee, Alberta, Rebecca, Eddie Joe, Mable, Fannie, and Albert. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Yvonne Cooper; children; Rose (Cooper) Risby, Brenda (Henry) Brunson, David Cooper, and Angela Cooper; twelve grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends and extended family members.

The family would like to thank the staff at Timberland Ridge, Summa Hospice, and Akron Summa Hospital for their care and dedicated service to Deacon Cooper.