JOHN HUTTON COOPER

John Hutton Cooper Passed away at his home on October 18, 2010, surrounded by family and his faithful friend Pico the dog. John was born March 14, 1933 in Indianapolis, right after his twin brother Tom. The boys grew up together in Arlington Heights, Illinois, along with their older sisters Dottie-Jean and Babs. After graduating from high school, John attended Knox College for two years where he played tackle on the college football team. During the Korean War, he joined the Army and was stationed in Germany. After the Army, he moved to California and went to the Los Angeles Art Center, majoring in fine art. In the early 60's, he moved to Chicago, and on a blind date he met a young German student named Maria. They were married the following year in Germany and moved back and forth between continents for the next 15 years, finally settling in Novato in 1978 with three children in tow. His professional career as an award-winning graphic designer included stints at the LA Times, the Rheinische Post in Duesseldorf, Germany, and culminated with a 17-year run at the Marin Independent Journal, where he retired in the fall of 1998. A loving husband and father, he embraced life fully: sailing, watercolor, chess, swimming, including the Alcatraz to San Francisco swim just a few years ago. He could not find enough time in a day to do all the things he enjoyed. John valued simplicity, in design, in art, in life. He appreciated the aesthetics of his surroundings and often translated that beauty into his art, specializing in watercolor after his retirement. He will be much missed by his wife Maria, children Elisabeth (Lee), John, and Susanne, their spouses Scott and Cindy, his twin brother Thomas, and his sister Barbara. A mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, October 25 at Our Lady of Loretto Church in Novato. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Marin Humane Society are welcomed.