Jesse Cooper

Jesse Cooper, 80, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, September 17, 2009, in Fitzgerald, GA. Jesse was born in Union Springs, AL on June 1, 1929 to Ada Bell Cook-Roberts and Wiley Thomas. He attended the Bullock County Public Schools. He served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1954, he met Betty J. Burleigh, and they later married in 1955. To this union seven children were born. He worked many years at Tinker Air Force Base, where he pursued the field of Electronics. He also maintained a garage full of electronic test equipment, and often neighbors and people in the community would bring their televisions to him for repair. Also, Jesse would travel on numerous occasions throughout the United States on temporary Travel Duty. In 1967 he transferred to FAA, where he was a Navigational Aides Analyst until his retirement. While employed at FAA, he also would teach Electronics at the Opportunity Industrialization Center (OIC) in the evenings, where the Director was Mr. Wesley Kirk. During his career, Jesse achieved several awards from Tinker and the FAA. Jesse was such an outstanding employee that FAA rehired him to work on special assignments after retirement. Jesse was an avid reader that loved books. He was one that sought after knowledge. He realized that knowledge was power and often stated, "your mind is a terrible thing to waste." Jesse was baptized in the Name of Jesus by his son, Pastor Frank H. Stewart, in Conway, AR. It was then that he started his walk with the Lord. He was a recipient of the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. In the late 90's, Jesse married Frances Keitt of Fitzgerald, GA, where he resided. Jesse loved his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During his later years, he would travel just to have family fellowship. He often said he didn't have any sons or daughters-in-law, just sons and daughters. He leaves to cherish his precious memories his wife, Frances of the home in Fitzgerald, GA; five daughters, Ellen (Lynn) Ware, Carla D. Cooper of Okla. City, OK, Gail (Walter) Ellison, Spencer, OK, Anna McCaine, Las Vegas, NV, First Lady Jacqueline (Pastor Frank) Stewart, Conway, AR; two sons, Dr. Drew Cooper; and Jesse III (Juanita) Cooper of Okla. City, OK; ten granddaughters, six grandsons, two great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at the Greater First Deliverance Temple, OKC. Arrangements by Rolfe Funeral Home.