John Edward Cooper

John Edward Cooper, age 96, of Springfield, passed into Heaven on January 21, 2023, at his home in the company of family. He was born to Homer Nelson and Anna (Votaw) Cooper, March 9, 1926, in Springfield. After graduating from Springfield High School (now Central High School) in 1944, John joined the United States Army and served in the Military Police Battalion during World War II. After his honorable discharge from the Army, John attended Draughon's Business College and enjoyed a fun year in Florida driving a milk route before going to work for the Frisco Railway. He worked for the railway more than 30 years where he ultimately became a department manager. John was always very proud of his union membership and enjoyed many years of fellowship with the union brotherhood.
John was introduced to Norma Turner by his brother at Campbell 66 where she was working her way through Drury College as Frank Campbell's secretary. He left his date sitting in the car that evening to go in and briefly meet her at his brother's insistence. Everything changed after that; they dated for three years, married in 1951, then spent nearly 75 years together, rarely apart, raising a family, working their careers and while also operating a farm. For many decades, John rose at 4 am to run a dairy and beef cattle farm and see that there was plenty of fireplace wood before going to the office. He was an active registered Democrat, member of Woodmen of the World Lodge 25, and the Model A Club of America. He loved cars, especially his first Model A Ford, a 1931 Sport Coupe, purchased with his dearest brother Nelsie. He sadly sold his prize possession when he joined the Army but replaced it on his 75th birthday with the same model, which won countless first place and best of show trophies. He enjoyed family vacation travel and day trips in his Model A. A family man who devoted his life to his loving wife, children, and grandchildren. He also served as a Board of Trustee Member and Treasurer of Lakeview Baptist Church, Deacon at Glidewell Baptist, as well as volunteering in many capacities there.
John followed Jesus Christ's example of taking care of widows and children and doing unto the "least of these." He regularly stopped to help stranded motorists in run-down vehicles, from diagnosis to parts purchase and repair at his expense, sending grateful families on their way. As a landlord, he waived the rent when his tenant families fell on hard times, took them groceries and packages of beef from his annual beef slaughter, and even paid their utility bills to keep the lights on until they got back on their feet. He traded farm work with his best buddies and money was never exchanged. He quietly helped his children, and his wife's parents, never accepting payment for anything he bought or did for them. He was like that with many people; he truly served the Lord by serving others.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his six brothers and sisters and their spouses, his son, Kenny, and daughter, Martha Lee, and step-grandson, Richard Dick. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa, son, Jonathan, three granddaughters, Krista Cooper Westfall, Jessica (Calvin) Petrus, and Kenna Cooper, and five great grandchildren, Evleah and Jonathan Hansen, Cooper Cummins, Nova and Lumen Petrus, all of Springfield.
A visitation will be held for John Edward Cooper from 6:00-8:00 pm, Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North (3506 N National Avenue). His funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm, Monday, January 30, 2023, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, followed by his burial in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be made in John's memory to Compassus Living Foundation, whose hospice team took superb care of John during his time of need.