J. B. Cooper

J.B. Cooper, age 89 of Gatesville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Scott’s Funeral Home with Minister Deral McWhorter officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Levita Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service, at the funeral home. 

J.B. was born November 1, 1934 in Bangs, Texas to the late Vester and Fannie Louise Vann Cooper. He grew up in both the Ater and Levita communities. At the age of 22, he joined the United States Army and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In 1958, he transferred to the Army National Guard and served as part of the protective detail during the civil rights movement in Selma, Alabama. He honorably retired in 1994 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He married Cathryn Cudd on December 22, 1957, and the two lived in Kentucky for a brief time before making their home in Gatesville. He worked at M.A.T.E.S. as a mechanic, serving over 30 years before his retirement. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and working outside in his garden. He was a generous man, who spent his entire life helping anyone in need, as well as being a faithful volunteer at the Gatesville Care Center. He was a lifelong member of Live Oak Baptist Church. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin sister, Billie Young; sons, Larry and David Cooper; and great grandson, Daniel Cooper. 

J.B. is survived by his wife of 66 years, Cathryn Cooper; son Michael Cooper and wife, Theresa; sister, Mary Cooper; “daughters”, Paula Vincent, Vickie Shaeffer, Deanna Pauley and husband, Mark; grandchildren, Justin Cooper, Virginia Rhymes, Rachel Anderson, Jacob Cooper, and Kinzie Cooper; and numerous great grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, J.B.’s family request that memorials be made to the Gatesville Care Center, 105 N. 7th Street, Gatesville, TX 76528.