Jackie (Jack) Dale Cooper was born in Pharaoh, Oklahoma (a small ranching town east of Oklahoma City) on May 14, 1932. His father Henry was an oil refinery worker, and his mother Kathryn Marie, was a red-headed (from whom Jack got his shock of red hair), outgoing home-maker.
While still small, the family moved to Wewoka, Oklahoma, where he, and his older brother Kenneth, grew up; attending grade school and Wewoka High School. In High School Jack participated in sports, and formed many friendships, some of which lasted his whole lifetime.
In 1950 he joined the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma National Guard. He proudly served in combat, in the Korean War, as Sergeant of a Howitzer crew; spending a total of three years in the United States Army. For the rest of his life Jack was an ardent supporter of the Korean War Veterans Association (and all veterans in general), participating heavily in the Walton Walker chapter of the KWVA, and holding various positions within that organization.
Upon his return to civilian life, he married his first wife in 1956, moving to Jacksonville Florida. They returned the DFW area in 1962 and started a family. He married his second wife in 1966, from whom he was widowed in 2014.
Jack’s outgoing personality and friendly smile made him a natural for sales, where he spent his career. First selling International Harvester trucks & equipment, and then the bulk of his career selling commercial fire equipment to municipalities over the whole of the southern United States.
Jack was known for his infectious personal charm, joking, and ability to make people feel at ease around him; being friendly to anyone who had time to stop and chat. This in contrast to his older brother Kenneth, who was a quiet, humble, hardworking man.
Preceded in death by his second wife, and then older brother, Jack continued his pursuits until his untimely death on March 13th, 2019 after a short battle with a severe case pneumonia.
Jack leaves behind Cortney, Kelly, and Jerry; as well as a lifetime of friends including lifelong friend Ramsey, and buddies Barry, Marvin, and Joe.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18