James Fenimore Cooper Jr.

1932 - 2021

James Fenimore Cooper Jr. joined his heavenly Father June 10, 2021 at the age of 88.

He was born July 26, 1932 in Pensacola, Florida to James Fenimore Cooper Sr. and Catherine Bullard Cooper who raised him in the Presbyterian church and instilled the virtues of integrity, honor and loyalty. His early years were spent in Birmingham, Alabama and Defuniak Springs, Florida.

Following the war, the family moved to Winter Park, he graduated from Orlando High School, Class of 1950. After attending the Virginia Military Institute he graduated from Georgia Tech in 1954. He enlisted in The US Navy and served as a navigator/bombardier on the USS Coral Sea and remained in the Naval Reserve until 1968.

After his Naval service he graduated from Emory University College of Law in 1960. He began his legal career at Maguire, Voorhees & Wells. After leaving Maguire in 1964 he was appointed as General Counsel to the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority.

For almost thirty years he oversaw all of the legal work that led to the planning, financing and construction of the Beachline (528), East-West Expressway (408), and the Eastern Beltway (417). His contributions to the growth and development of Orlando and Central Florida were his proudest legacy as an attorney.

In addition to practicing law, in 1965 Fenimore formed a business partnership with his college roommate, Phil Reece that lasted over fifty years based on nothing more than a handshake. As partners they invested in citrus, real estate and other ventures and remained close friends till his death.

He served as President of the Central Florida Fair and the Orlando Country Club. He was also a long time member of The University Club of Orlando and Highlands Country Club in North Carolina. Membership at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Orlando and his Thursday Bible study group strengthened his faith.

With single mindedness he pursued and accomplished many of his personal goals. He learned to fly and captain his own boat. Like many he attempted to master golf but nevertheless enjoyed the pursuit with his friends and was fortunate to play at St. Andrews and Augusta National.

Following his retirement he would spend summers in Highlands, North Carolina making many new friends from around the country. Much time was also spent at his home on Kamalame Cay in the Bahamas. With his wife Sherry and their friends, he travelled throughout the world: they particularly enjoyed their safari in Africa.

Fenimore was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Sarah Cooper, and Sherry Chappelle Cooper who brought him so much happiness after their marriage in 2002 until her passing in 2018. He greatly missed his beautiful dogs Ava and Daisy.

He is survived by his son Allen Cooper (Julia) of Orlando, daughter Mary Catherine Ambrose (Ben) of Gainesville, Georgia: his beloved and adored grandchildren, Allison Cooper of Atlanta, Georgia, Carson Cooper of Nashville, Tennessee and Cooper and Carter Ambrose of Gainesville, Georgia: his Uncle John C. Bullard of Montgomery, Alabama and numerous cousins.

A Celebration of Life with a reception to follow will be held Friday, June 25, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at St Paul's Presbyterian Church 4917 Eli Street Orlando, Florida. The service will be live-streamed at stpaulsorlando.com/watch

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Central Florida Fair Scholarship Fund c/o Harriet Blackwell 4603 W Colonial Drive Orlando, Florida 32808 or Fresh Start Ministries Attn: Kelly, 4436 Edgewater Drive Orlando, Florida 32804.