John Cooper

1925 - 2025

John Cooper, aged 100, passed away October 16, 2025, at Country Meadows Assisted Living in Frederick where he had been a resident since 2022. He is survived by son Jim (Cheryl Riley), daughter Judie Cooper and granddaughter Kaylie Cooper. He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Virginia L Cooper.

He was born in Manilla, Iowa to Bryant and Mae Cooper. After excelling in both academics and athletics in high school, he attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. His education was interrupted when he turned 18 and left college to volunteer for service in the Army Air Corps. Following service as a radio-operator/gunner on B-17s and B-29s, he returned to Simpson, completed his Bachelors Degree and married Virginia Lewis of West Des Moines, Iowa. He coached, taught and pursued advanced degrees in health education at several academic institutions including Drake University, Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College (now Eastern Kentucky University), and Indiana University where he earned his Ph.D. He retired from George Mason University. He also served as Asociate Executive Director of the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Dance (AAHPERD), an association affiliated with the National Education Association.

He and Virginia retired to Frederick, Maryland, where he was active in the Frederick County Senior Council, regularly attending senior exercise classes and participating in other activities. He sang with the Golden Tones, a group that regularly visited hospitals, retirement communities and senior living facilities. He loved people and maintained lifelong friendships.

Music was important to him throughout his life, especially the music of the 1930s and 40s. He felt that music was a universal language that brings people together. In an interview on passing his 100th birthday, when asked to pass along one piece of wisdom, he said, "Music, the world needs more music."

John Cooper