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Jack Cooper Obituary
ROCK HILL - Mr. Richard Jackson "Jack" Cooper, 64, died on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Piedmont Medical Center.
Burial will be private.
A native of Wadesboro, N.C., Mr. Cooper grew up in Rockingham, N.C., and was the youngest son of the late James William Cooper and the late Effie Phillips Cooper. He graduated from Rockingham High School in 1966, where he played football and ran track. He received his B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Appalachian State University in 1970. While at ASU, he lettered in track and field as a sprinter. He taught one year of school in North Carolina before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972. He served two years, one of which was in Thailand. Upon his return, he received his Master’s in Health and Physical Education from Appalachian State in 1974. It was at Appalachian State that he met his wife of nearly 38 years, Susan Lanier Cooper. He worked for Rock Hill School District Three from August 1974 until his retirement in 2004, teaching geography, physical education and coaching football, basketball and track at Sullivan Middle School. He also served as athletic director at Sullivan.
Jack was an accomplished athlete who loved all sports for the "love of the game." He enjoyed playing golf, working outside and traveling. He especially loved dogs, ASU football and was an authority on NASCAR racing.
In addition to his wife, Susan, Jack is survived by two children, Brian Jackson Cooper of San Marcos, Texas, and Sara Holland Cooper of Cary, N.C.; two brothers, Jim Cooper of Wilmington, N.C., and Tom Cooper of Hamlet, N.C.; his sister, Peggy Cooper Coward of Rockingham, N.C.; many nieces and nephews; and his dear friends, Tim and Martha Warner.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2012, at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Cooper's name to Appalachian State University Athletics/Yosef Club, Appalachian Athletics Center, P.O. Box 32025, Boone, NC 28608.
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jack Cooper
Lamont Jennings
April 30, 2025
Mr.Cooper was my football and basketball coach. He also gave me a job in coaching football and basketball at Sullivan. He was one of my favorite coaches.
Officer Mic Kane-SRO
May 16, 2012
Coach, you are and always will be a great man who will be dearly missed by many. You have touched so many lives, especially so many kid's that you have helped over the years at Sullivan. I loved seeing that smile and determination when you saw the kid's and told them to get ready for practice or a game. You put your heart into it, and it showed. Rest in peace Coach, you earned it and you will be dearly missed.
Hank Hammond
May 15, 2012
I lost a friend when Jack passed away. The ten years we coached together was some of the most enjoyable times I spent in education. He set his standards high and the students always responded. He will be truly missed.
DONNA HORNE-RICHARDSON
May 14, 2012
My thoughts and prayers to the Cooper family at this most difficult time. Coach Cooper was my PE teacher at Sullivan and was well liked by all!
Ron Gilliam
May 11, 2012
I would like to send my condolescence to the Cooper family my name is Ron Gilliam and I ran tract and played football for Coach Cooper and I also went on to play for Appalachian state and graduated in 96', we will miss Coach Copper and all he did for many of us former athletes of his!
May 10, 2012
Mrs. Cooper and Family,
I had Mr. Cooper when I was a student at sullivan for homeroom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Brandon Gaston
Trish & Lash LeRoux
May 10, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Quan Long
May 9, 2012
Sending my prayers to the family of Mr. Cooper as I knew him!!!!! he was my gym teacher years ago and always had a smile on his face and always made us do our push ups!!!! I am grateful to say that he was one teacher that kept me in line.....once again sorry for your lost and my prayers are with the family!!!!!
Curtis Miller
May 9, 2012
The Lord has called one of his angels home.he is going to be truly missed,rest in peace COACH COOPER
May 9, 2012
My sincere condolences... Jack was in the very first classes I taught as a second year teacher in Rockingham. I met him again when I taught at Sullivan 1976-1979...such a nice surprise. He was a dear young man in high school and a great colleague. You could tell the kids loved and respected him. God bless you all. Margaret Jennings
May 8, 2012
Coach Cooper will be missed. He was such a positive influence to so many students. Both my children (now grown) had the pleasure of having Coach Cooper as a teacher and coach. Cheryl Garner (Rock Hill, sc)
Courtney
May 8, 2012
I'm former student-athlete of Coach Cooper. He was an excellent teacher and very personable. I appreciated the encouragement he gave as my teacher and, even more so, as coaching peer. He will be missed.
May 8, 2012
Susan, I'm so sorry for your loss. Jack was a great teacher and a good person. He will be missed!
Michelle Fletcher
May 8, 2012
Susan, my deepest sympathies. Your husband was a great man that I had the pleasure of working with at Sullivan Middle School.
Darryl Brown
May 7, 2012
RIP coach Cooper, I'm one of his former players tht will truly miss him. He was a mentor to all of us and he'll truly be missed.
May 7, 2012
So very sorry to hear about the passing of my old friend, Jack, almost 50 years. We ran track against each other in High School and were team mates at ASU. I was his big brother when he was elected into the Mens A Club. Just talked with him in the last couple of weeks and he seamed to be all to the old Jack, all up beat and ready to get together and play a round of Golf. I have lost a true friend of many years. Sorry I couldn't be with you tonight. My condolences to Susan and family.
I love you man.
Keith Nash. High Point, NC
Jennifer Cook
May 7, 2012
One of the finest teachers I ever had. Beyond teaching content, he taught respect for self & walked the talk. He was a special man. My deepest condolences to his family.
lauren laws
May 7, 2012
Sorry for your loss Aunt Susan, Brian and Sara. Jack was such a good person and will always be remembered. With Love, Lauren, Sean and Aubrey Laws
David Lanier
May 7, 2012
Jack Cooper is my brother-in-law and one of the best men I have ever had the priviledge to know. I will miss him sorely, but he leaves a wonderful legacy in his fine children and in everyone who knew him.
Darrell & Allison Paul
May 7, 2012
May God bless the entire Cooper family. We will fondly remember the wonderful stories Jack shared with us. He will live in our thoughts and hearts always.
Watt Long
May 7, 2012
Fleet Foot-u know we missed your smile and laughter at reunion.We will miss u on this side but know u have gone to a better place.Keep smiling!!!! Watt
Steve Hall
May 7, 2012
Coach Cooper hired me for my 1st job. I learned an awful lot from this man. I still use things today that he taught me 28 years ago! He will definitely be missed. Thoughts and prayers to Susan, Bryan and Sarah.
Brooke Walls
May 7, 2012
R.I.P. COACH COOPER!!! You were one of the best they had there!!! You will truly be missed! May you rejoice in the hands of god now!!!!
Dan Freeman
May 7, 2012
My condolences to the family and friends. Coach Cooper was a great coach and a great guy. From those of us who were lucky enough to play under and learn from Coach Cooper he will never be forgotten. He used to tell us to run towards the finish line like there was a tutti fruity ice cream waiting on us. Coach I hope you are enjoying your tutti frutti ice cream. You deserve it.
Jill Cooper Robbins
May 7, 2012
Love you Uncle Jack. You and Susan made my my move to Rock Hill, like moving home. I love you and will miss you.
Lamont Jennings
May 7, 2012
He was really a good coach, I can remember him coaching me in football and basketball when I went to Sullivan. He was a mentor to me.He ran the same plays when I was the QB in 1998. I help him coach for 7 years at Sullivan also. He is going to be miss.
Pattie Bailey Campbell
May 7, 2012
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Cooper! I remember him from Sullivan when I was a teacher and coach.He was a great coach and a wonderful man. I have a lot of great memories of him from school. My prayers are with the Cooper family. R.I.P. Coach Cooper you will be missed.
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