James A. Cooper

A Mass of Christian Burial for SFC E-7 (Ret) James A."Coop" Cooper, Junction City will be 10 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2009 at. St. Xavier Catholic Church with Father Al Brungardt officiating.

Burial will follow with full military honors at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Fort Riley. Visitation will be from 6-8pm Sunday, September 20, 2009 at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington. James passed away September 15, 2009 at Geary Community Hospital.

He was born September 13, 1938 in Danville, ILL the son of Martin M. and Winifred "Wright" Cooper. James enlisted in the US Army
December 31, 1956 and retired October 1, 1978. He served in Vietnam earning many decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal W/2 Bronze Service Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, Combat Infantry Badge, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross W/Palm, Expert Badge (Rifle). He was very active in raising funds for MDA.

James is survived by his sons, Jerry Cooper and fiancée Jolie Shaw, Junction City, KS; Jim Cooper and wife Shelley, Spokane Valley, WA, Frank Cooper, Spokane, WA; Daughters, Dianne Rankin and husband Ron, El Paso, TX, Angie Cooper, Airway Heights, WA; former wife, Su Campagnone and husband Lou; a niece Cindy Conohan, Grovetown, GA, 12 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren and special friend, Maria Wermers of Tucson, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Linda Thomason.