John Alfred Cooper Jr.

1938 - 2013

John Alfred Cooper Jr. obituary, 1938-2013, Bella Vista, AR

FUNERAL HOME

Rollins Funeral Home

1401 Hudson Road

Rogers, Arkansas

John Cooper Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 9, 2013.

John Alfred Cooper, Jr., 74, of Bella Vista, Arkansas died January 6, 2013. He was born September 13, 1938 in Memphis, Tennessee, to John Alfred Cooper and Mildred Borum Woollard Cooper and spent his youth in West Memphis, Arkansas.

He was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School in Memphis Tennessee with a post graduate year at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama. He attended the University of Arkansas where he majored in business and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He later served in the Air Force National Guard and was called for active duty during the Pueblo Crisis. He joined his father's company, The Cherokee Village Development Company, which over the years converted to Cooper Communities, Inc. He was elected President in 1968 and Chairman of the Board in 2002, a position he occupied at his death. Through his leadership the company developed planned retirement communities across the Southeastern United States including Arkansas communities of Cherokee Village, Bella Vista Village and Hot Springs Village; Tellico Village in Tennessee; Savannah Lakes Village in South Carolina; Glade Springs in West Virginia and Stonebridge Village and Creekmoor in Missouri. Cooper Communities, Inc. is also a developer of vacation ownership resorts and commercial properties throughout the region.

Mr. Cooper served on the boards of Walmart, J. B. Hunt Transport Company , Entergy, Arkla Gas Company, Arkansas Power and Light, Union Planters Bank, and Worthen Bank Holding Company. He was a founding member of the Arkansas Business Council and Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel Foundation.

He was honored as a 1998 recipient of the Sam Walton Award, presented by the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce. An avid sportsman and hunter, he loved the outdoors and was a charter member of the Arkansas Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees and served on that board from 1983 until 1986. The Arkansas Nature Conservancy recognized him in 1994 for his leadership role in the Arkansas Corporate Council for Conservation. In 2003, that organization honored Mr. Cooper by establishing The Cooper Family Conservation Award. The award is presented annually to a business, organization or individual who has made outstanding contributions to conservation in Arkansas. As a lifelong philanthropist to many causes he was instrumental in providing property for the Bella Vista library, The Nature Conservancy, numerous community parks and recreation projects, and through Cooper Communities, Inc. donated locations for over 50 churches and 5 schools.

Survivors include Pat, his wife of 47 years, a daughter, Mary Virginia Cooper Reid of Dallas, Texas and Aspen, Colorado, two sons, John A. Cooper, III, and Borum M. Cooper and wife Jamie Mayes Cooper, all of Rogers, Arkansas, and two grandchildren, Cooper McInnis Reid and Mary Tarver Reid of Dallas, Texas and Aspen, Colorado. Other survivors include two sisters, Boyce Woollard Billingsley of Bentonville, and Rebecca Cooper Whelan and husband John of Hot Springs. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Woollard Basore.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 10 at the First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, Arkansas, under the direction of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers, Arkansas, with Senator Kaneaster Hodges officiating.

Memorials may be made to The Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel Foundation, P.O. Box 5001, Bella Vista, Arkansas 72714, The Arkansas Nature Conservancy, 601 North University, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, and Delta Water Fowl, P.O. Box 3128, Bismarck, ND 58502.

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Memories and Condolences
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January 17, 2013

Pat Harlan Bales

Caring thoughts are with you

January 14, 2013

Cissy Harlan Reynolds

Mary Virginia, Pat, Borum and John#3


You`re in my thoughts and prayers

January 12, 2013

trudy townsend

January 11, 2013

Sharon Breyman

Pat, Mary, John, and Borum,
I have so many fond memories of your family as a teacher at Bentonville, and also teaching Sunday School at the Methodist Church. (this was in the 70's). You were always so nice, and
helped the schools immensely. I remember Mary, John III, and Borum as just adorable children. Borum was in the Sunday School class across from mine, and his friend couldn't get the magic market to work. He commented to his friend "just spit on it, and will
work".
My prayers are with the whole Cooper Family as I knew so many of you when I lived in Bella Vista. May God Bless you all.

January 11, 2013

Jim Caldwell

To The Cooper Family,

My deepest sympathies to all of you in the loss of John. Every occasion that I had to meet and discuss issues affecting Cooper Communities always deepened my appreciation for the kind and considerate (yet focused) way he conducted business. My sense was that he was a person of quiet fortitude, yet very interested in the well being of people and dedicated to making our world a better place. I treasure the memories of working with him on a number of occasions. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate his life and home going. John, soldier on, my friend. You have lived well.

January 11, 2013

Boyce,
Mike and I wish to extend our sympathy on the loss of your brother, John. Our thoughts and prayers and with you at this time. Mike & Harriet Jones

January 10, 2013

Ed Pasierb

Served along side with John In the 154th Weather Flight ANG in the 60s.Even though our association was limited, John never had a bad day, and he made sure that we stayed in a good mood. Never beat him at golf. Wish I had learned that smile! Rest in peace my friend.

January 10, 2013

To the Cooper family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time in the loss of Mr. Cooper. We know he will be missed by all.

Village Home Center Hot Springs Village

January 10, 2013

Kaye Safley

To the family of John A Cooper, Jr.

Another of the greatest generation has passed. My parents, Boyd and Maxine Carpenter of Ash Flat, AR always spoke well of the Cooper family---their work ethic, and their kindness. I remember going to the opening of Cherokee Village when I was about 10 years old. It made an impression on me at that age, perhaps because my dad spoke highly of it. My wish for the family is that God give them peace during this difficult time. I hope that your many memories will bring you comfort.

With deepest respect and condolences, Kaye (Carpenter) Safley

January 9, 2013

Meg Butler

Pat, I am so sorry to hear the news. Sue let me know, and I wish I could be there with you tomorrow. You and your children are in my prayers.

Meg

January 9, 2013

To Pat and all the family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of John, Jr.'s passing. We have fond memories of all the times we flew together. He will be missed, and may the Lord bless and comfort all of you.
Allan and Gency Jackson, Rogers, AR.

January 9, 2013

Gregory Bone, PE

To the family of John A. Cooper, Jr.,

My sincere condolences to the family of John, Jr. I think that the legacy of both John and his father will be to have brought the country club life to the common man. Creating communities with first class amenities that are the envy of most developers today and making them affordable is something very, very few in the industry have ever been able to accomplish. Cooper Communities was able to pull it off many times with Cherokee, Bella Vista, Hot Springs, Tellico and Savannah Lakes Villages and others. It was a pleasure and my privilege working for Cooper Communities, Inc. many years ago from 1982-1990. I remain very proud of the work that was accomplished and owe a great deal to John, Jr. and the whole Cooper family for the opportunities that they provided for me and many other families. A legacy now ends with the passing of John, Jr. I pray for peace and comfort for the Cooper family in the coming days and wish them continued success with Cooper Communities, Inc. in the future.

January 9, 2013

Krista Cannon

So sorry for your loss. Mary, John and Borum, you are in my prayers!

January 9, 2013

Russell Tucker

Our thoughts are with with the Cooper clan. Deepest condolences from the Russell Tucker family.

January 9, 2013

Robert Larry Fisher

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
I am a cousin, My Mother was a Cooper from Wynne AR.

January 9, 2013

PAT:

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Denece & Dub Harris

January 9, 2013

W.S. Clayton

I knew John many, many years ago in college...he was always interesting and delightful to be around. May The Lord grant his family comfort and peace during this difficult time.

January 9, 2013

Anthony "Jeff" Lee

Pat, John, Mary & Borum,
My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

January 9, 2013

Garry Lawrence

Dear Cooper family,
My deepest sympathy to you at this time. The Cooper family has had such an impact on so many lives. It has allowed me to work and live in a place I dearly love. Thank you all and cherish the memories.

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