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Memories & Candles

“Words are inadequate to express the sadness I feel with Jim's death. Please know you have my most heartfelt condolences. ”
1 of 22 | Posted by: Dorothhy Metz - Tiffin, IA

“Jim and I were classmates at little ol' Russell High. We were co-editors of the yearbook and best of friends. I had lost touch with him over the...Read More »
2 of 22 | Posted by: Dee (DeBok) McKnight - Boone , IA

“I was out of town last week. When I returned, i was very saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I always enjoyed his visits to our shop. Jim carried...Read More »
3 of 22 | Posted by: craig miller - lewisburg, WV

“Jim it was wonderful to go kayaking with u remember the over head flight show out on the ocean and the dolphins swimming along beside us but the...Read More »
4 of 22 | Posted by: Sharon Anderson - des Moines, IA

“So sad and surprised to see of Jim passing. To Jim and Jean, he certainly carried on a family tradition of public service. Our prayers and...Read More »
5 of 22 | Posted by: Ernie & Pat Aust - shenandoah, IA

“My condolences to the Cooper family for their loss. I worked with Jim for many years early in my career. Ironic that we were just talking about him...Read More »
6 of 22 | Posted by: Barbara Vos - Adel, IA

“Jim Cooper, you certainly knew how to live life; you embraced it and lived it to the fullest! While your time here was much too brief, it was...Read More »
7 of 22 | Posted by: Jan Bauer - Ames, IA

“How very sad I was to hear of Jim's passing. I worked with Jim at the Chariton Valley RC&D in Centerville for several years. While he had many...Read More »
8 of 22 | Posted by: Kathleen Chester - IA

“Jim left a large footprint on all of our hearts. But his footprints are larger yet in his legacies of natural resources and economic development in...Read More »
9 of 22 | Posted by: Tracy Daugherty - Centerville, IA

“12 1 RIP Jim Cooper I first noticed Jim at a sparely attended Squaw Creek meeting at a little country church. But, I came to know him as a board...Read More »
10 of 22 | Posted by: Greg Vitale - Ames, IA - friend

“Jim, you were one of the very first people I met when I moved to Lewisburg who made me feel a sense of what I knew to be "home." You understood why...Read More »
11 of 22 | Posted by: Christine Eckel - Lewisburg, WV

“Deepest sympathy to the family of Jim Cooper. May fond memories be a comfort to you at this difficult time. Jim was an RC&D coordinator for many...Read More »
12 of 22 | Posted by: Pauline Antons - IA - Friend

“Jim's contributions to the Ames community - to the Wheatsfield Co-op, to Friends of Central Iowa Biking, to local politics and smart growth, to...Read More »
13 of 22 | Posted by: Sarah Davis - Ames, IA - friend

“I was so very sorry to hear of Jim's death. My condolences to his family and friends. I was Jim's academic adviser at Iowa State in the Public...Read More »
14 of 22 | Posted by: Eric Hoiberg - Ames, IA - friend

“My condolences to the family of James Cooper. His mother is my second cousin. I was born in Russell, Iowa and have known the Coopers and Goltrys my...Read More »
15 of 22 | Posted by: Charles M. Wright - Ankeny, IA

“Jim will be missed by many who knew him. May God Bless Jim and his family. ”
16 of 22 | Posted by: Jim and Ronda McIntosh - Creston, IA

“Jim played a major role in my understanding of non-profit management! He was very business and politically savvy and I appreciated his willingness...Read More »
17 of 22 | Posted by: Cathee Pullman - Hampden, ME

“Some things we'll always remember about Jim....river trips, his willingness to sit through countless versions of the chicken dance, indulging Jake's...Read More »
18 of 22 | Posted by: The Bridges Family - Lewisburg, WV

“Jim was such a positive future-oriented guy! Never did I hear him say that something couldn't be done, always willing to listen and consider. He...Read More »
19 of 22 | Posted by: Penny Brown Huber - Ames , IA

“My work with Jim was much too short. I remember the energy he brought to everything he did. He'll be very missed. ”
20 of 22 | Posted by: Eileen Robb - Johnston, IA

“Dear Evin, Carolyn, & Family, I knew Jim in my younger years and will always remember him as kind, gentle, articulate, & intelligent. He was a Mac...Read More »
21 of 22 | Posted by: Justin Adams - Denver, CO

“The staff at Blue Ridge Funeral Home offers deepest sympathy to the family during this very difficult time. ”
22 of 22 | Posted by: Blue Ridge Funeral Home


JAMES THOMAS COOPER
James Thomas Cooper, 57, of Lewisburg, WV died on January 12, 2012 in his home after battling pancreatic cancer.
Jim was born October 17, 1954 to Jim and Jean Cooper and grew up in Russell, IA. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture and a Masters of Public Administration from Iowa State University in Ames, IA. Jim loved life. He was a bicycle enthusiast and loved riding, racing, building, and fixing bikes, but most of all he loved helping others find joy in cycling. He also enjoyed running, hiking, kayaking and cross-country skiing. He loved working behind the scenes in politics and was very passionate about what he believed in. He put in over 35 years of service with the Federal government and was involved in many projects for the improvement and conservation of rural areas. He spent the majority of his career in Iowa and was very proud of his contributions to specific projects such as Chariton Valley Biomass Project and Honey Creek Resort State Park.
Jim is survived by his wife, Carolyn Komar of Lewisburg, WV; daughter, Evin Cooper of Rockford, IL; parents Jim and Jean Cooper of Russell, IA.
In remembrance an open house will be held at The Wild Bean 119 E. Washington St., Lewisburg, WV, for family and friends Wednesday January 18, 2012 from 6 – 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following organizations: Lustgarten Foundation (www.curepc.org); Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org).
Online condolences and other information can be found by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com
Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley is assisting the family.

Funeral Services
Iowa Memorial Service