Jackie was born on October 2, 1938 in Wake County to the late Flossie Berry Cooper and William Walter Cooper. Jackie attended Hugh Morrison High School, after school he met and married Martie in 1959. He started working in the Pilot Mill for a number of years, upon leaving the Mill, he and Martie operated Jet Car Wash on Fairview Road. He left the car wash business to start working for Long Electric Company, serving as an Electrician’s Helper for over ten years. After Long Electric, Jackie was employed with Wakefield Apartments as their maintenance man. He then joined Ward Transformers, where he rebuilt transformers for a decade. He then rejoined Wakefield Apartments as a Clubhouse Attendant, until his retirement in 2008.
Jackie was an avid NASCAR fan, following drivers like The King Richard Petty, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, and Kyle Larson. He also enjoyed all motorsports and any style of racing, especially drag racing.
Jackie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Martie; sons, William Lee Cooper and his wife, Julie, of Wendell, Don Wayne Cooper, and his wife April, of Wendell; sister, Sandy Stephenson of Asheville; Sister-in-law, Paula Roberts of Raleigh; Nephew, Art Giles of Broken Arrow, OK.
In addition to his parents, Jackie was preceded in death by his Brother-In-Law, D. Lee Roberts.
A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 2:00pm in Raleigh Memorial Park. Officiating will be Pastor William Futrell. The family will receive visitors Sunday afternoon from 3:00 – 5:00pm at Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park.
Flowers are accepted, or memorials in Jackie’s name may be directed to the American Cancer Society, or to the American Lung Association, by using the links below, under ‘Donations’.
If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Jackie, or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below, under ‘Add a Memory’.
