James Melvin Cooper

James Melvin Cooper, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Spring, TX on Thursday, July 5, 2018. Melvin, as he was called by family, was born May 24, 1933 in Bremond, TX to Henry Tilton and Willie Mae (Redden) Cooper. After graduating from Bremond High School in 1950 he decided to move to the big city of Houston in 1951. He was then drafted into the United States Army in 1954 where he served for two years.

Upon his discharge he began working for Humble Oil Company in 1957. He was a master mechanic and could fix almost anything so he always took on additional jobs repairing appliances and automobiles to provide for his family. Humble Oil was acquired by Exxon Company in 1973. Melvin remained with Exxon until his retirement in 1993 after 36 years of service.

Even after retirement Melvin believed in staying busy. He filled his time doing mechanical repair work and gardening.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 1995 and survived a difficult surgery, radiation, and a second surgery in 2000. Melvin always overcame the doctor’s worst-case predictions and was a fighter to the end.

Melvin married Mary Ann Swift on January 30, 1960 and they went on to have five children. As much pride as he took in his work, he was most proud of his family.

Melvin is predeceased by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Calvin and Clara Cooper; brother, Gene; brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Jo Ann Cooper; sisters and brother-in-laws, Ruth and Reese Brantner and Nettie and Paul Robertson. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Kelley Cooper; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Randy Neumeyer; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Kathy Cooper; daughter, Nancy Cooper; and daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Francisco Ramirez; sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Britt Braddick; and sister, Gracie Howell, He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank their kind neighbors Rita and Roger Baak, Florence and Henry Lobo, and caregivers Bertha Sobhani, Tina Rodriguez, and Liz Bowers for their care and thoughtfulness in the last year of his life.

Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 9, 2018 at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home, 13102 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060. The Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, 2018 in the Chapel of Earthman Rresthaven. Interment will follow at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery.