Early on the morning of April 6, 2024 at 1:44 am, our beloved James, known to all as “Country”, passed away peacefully at Regency Hospital. Words cannot express the depth of our loss. James wasn’t just a family member, he was a pillar of love, inspiration, and guidance for everyone who knew him.
James E. Cooper was born on June 26, 1949, in Selma, Alabama, the eldest of ten children born to Lawrence and Sarah L. Milton (deceased). He brought joy and laughter into the world from the very beginning. Selma always held a special place in his heart, even after the family’s move to Cleveland, Ohio. James was a proud graduate of the Cleveland Public School System, where he honed his mechanical skills that led to a successful career as a technician at Valley Mold.
James was a man of loyalty and love. He found companionship throughout his life with Christine, Sonya, and Glenda. Fron the streets of Cleveland to the red dirt roads of Alabama, Jams made connections everywhere he went., Let him tell it, he knew the brotha that made it. After retiring once he decided it wasn’t quite for him and went back to work at Reserve Iron and Metal for one last rodeo until retiring for good.
James had a knack for fixing cars, loved unearthing treasures at the junkyard, and enjoyed the freedom of cruising the open road. But above all, James cherished spending time with his family. He was a chef that loved cooking for everyone, sharing laughter, telling stories, listening to James Brown or watching the Browns in his FAVORITE SPOT. He was the family’s very own GPS, with an uncanny ability to help you navigate anywhere you needed to go in life. James was the captain of the ship, an extraordinary man who built a lifetime of memories. May his memory continue to be a blessing.
James leaves behind a legacy of love and everlasting memories in the hearts of his children, Todd (Sharika), Cordelle, and Jamal (Diamond); his siblings, Delois, Martha (Alving – deceased), Lawrence, Beverly (deceased), Jeannette, Lillian (Donald, Pauline, Ora Lee, and Willie; his grandchildren, Christopher, Todge, Juel, Jamal Jr., Jade, and Todd Jr., a host of nieces and nephews, his extended family and many friends. They will all feel the weight of his absence, but they will also hold onto the warmth of his love and the joy he brought to their lives.
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