Cooper, John "Jack" Robert 1932-2012

COOPER, BENDER, BEESON, WENGER, PANOSH, FRANK, SMITH

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 5/15/2017 at 23:01:06

SOURCE: THE GAZETTE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa newspaper, August 7, 2012
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

John "Jack" Robert Cooper, age 80, passed away Sunday, August 5, 2012 at his home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. John was born on August 5, 1932 to George W. and Doris (Bender) Cooper in Waukon, Iowa. John graduated from Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids in 1950. John met Marilyn Beeson at the Keen Teen Club and they married on September 22, 1950. He went to work at Iowa Manufacturing in 1951, then went to work for THE GAZETTE. He retired from Goss Graphics in 1994 after 29 years.
Jack was a machinist by trade but a carpenter at heart. He built his family's first home and enjoyed many years of woodworking in the shop he built. Jack and Marilyn liked to dance. They spent many Sunday mornings dancing in the kitchen. He helped coach his grandson's baseball team and helped his son-in-law harvest on the farm. Jack attended all sporting events, dance recitals, school and theatrical productions of his grandchildren. Jack was a gentle man and always put others before himself.

John R. "Jack" Cooper is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marilyn; three children Linda (James) Wenger of Ainsworth, Iowa, Robert (Mary) Cooper of Deerfield, Florida, and Peggy (Dennis) Panosh of North Liberty, Iowa; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and one brother, James Cooper of Lake Mills, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Susan Jo Frank, one granddaughter, Andrea Sue Panosh, and one sister, Arlene Iris Smith and her husband Jr. Joseph Smith. Services were held on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel and burial at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.