Obituary of Jim Cooper
COOPER: Jim
June 25, 1943 - February 24, 2024
Completed this chapter of his life peacefully at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Predeceased by parents Brown (1994) and Myrtle (2002) Cooper, parents-in-law Karl (2005) and Anna (2009) Gross, sister Jane (2015) Allan and son Luke (2005).
Survived by the love of his life, Barbara, children Liz, Andrew (Jenn) and Paula (Dave) and grandchildren Grayson (Emma) and Morgan Goldhawk, Jordan, Dallas, Olivia and Jack Cooper, and Luke, Cole, Jake, Quin, Kenzy, Tanner and Santana and the Heyzen family.
Also missed by brothers Paul (Marigje), Harold (Pam), widowed husband of deceased sister, Jane, Bill Allan, all from St. Joseph Island; brother-in-law Richard (Joanne) Gross of Mildmay and sisters-in-law Helen (Gordon) Forbes-King of Texas and Jane (Rob) Sachs of Morrisburg. Also many nieces and nephews.
Jim was born and raised on St. Joseph Island near Sault Ste. Marie and continued his education at the University of Guelph and the University of Illinois. He began work for Warwick Seed Company as a Plant Breeder working at his second love - their small farm on Ridge Line in Ridgetown, Ontario and enjoyed his third love of reading and music - Jim was an avid reader.
Upon Barbara's and his marriage in 1975, Jim became Catholic. Like many converts, he became fervent in his faith. With Barbara at his side, he was able to accomplish more things than he ever thought possible.
Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home, 76 Main Street East, Ridgetown on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 6:00 - 9:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael's Church, 26 George Street, Ridgetown at 11:00am on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Cremation to follow with a private family interment to be held at St. Michael's Cemetery at a later date.
A live-stream of the Funeral Mass had been set up for those family members and friends who live a distance away. It will be available on both the funeral home obituary page and South Kent Family of Parishes websites.
Jim's favourite charities are the Silent Children's Mission and Chalice (Canada). In lieu of flowers, any donations to them would be appreciated. You can donate through McKinlay's or through the charity's individual websites.
Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com
Please CLICK HERE for the live-stream link
McKinlay Funeral Home
76 Main Street East, Ridgetown
519-674-3141
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Ridgetown: Class 1 Funeral Establishment FE-397
Blenheim: Class 1 Funeral Establishment FE-41
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Nathan McKinlay is in charge of day-to-day operations in Chatham.
Jeff Mardling is in charge of day-to-day operations in Blenheim & Ridgetown.
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