James Edward Cooper

James Edward "Jim" Cooper, 67, of Casa Grande, a longtime school administrator, died unexpectedly on Aug. 24, 2007 at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Casa Grande Stake Center, with visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Relief Society Room. Bishop Steve Lannon will officiate.

Mr. Cooper was born in Paragould, Ark., on Dec. 30, 1939. He accompanied his family to Arizona when he was 2. After graduating from Miami High School in 1958, he attended Arizona State College (now Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff, receiving a bachelor of science degree in education. He later received a master's degree in business education from NAU. In addition, he later attended the University of Arizona and received another degree in education. He served for many years on the North Central school evaluation committee for high school accreditation.

He was a lifelong educator, teaching high school and serving in school administration for more than 43 years. He became a teacher and coach at San Manuel High School, where he later was athletic director and assistant principal before becoming principal. In 1978, he moved his family to Casa Grande to serve as assistant principal at CGUHS until becoming principal, where he served until retirement in 1996. His devotion to teaching and his love of young people remained, and after a few years as a financial manager, he went back to teaching at Maricopa High School, where he remained for the last several years.

He was an avid sports fan, and he shared that passion with thousands of others as their coach. His love for the St. Louis Cardinals never wavered. Throughout his career he coached football, baseball, tennis and wrestling. From early on in his career several of the young people he coached became state champions. He received many awards for coaching and education. He was in the first group to be inducted into the CGUHS "Wall of Fame." His greatest love was for his family and grandchildren. He was active in the LDS Church.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Marilyn; a daughter, Candace Galbraith of Casa Grande; two sons, Michael of Queen Creek and Sean Cooper of Florence; and seven grandchildren. One son, Darren, died in 2005.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Jim Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund at Pinal County Federal Credit Union.