Jack F. Cooper

Our loving husband, dad, and Grandpa Jack Cooper went to live with God in heaven on September 16, 2023.    Jack was born November 2, 1930 in Burleson Texas to Ferg and Bertha Cooper.  He spent most of his youth in Texas before moving to Sunnyside WA while in high school.  He played football and boxed for the Sunnyside Grizzlies and was also a thespian.  After high school he married his sweetheart Betty Lou Harrel.  In March 1951 Jack was hired as Assistant Fire Chief by the City of Sunnyside, a position he held for 9 years.  During his early years on the fire department Jack was an accomplished amateur boxer sponsored by Smith Funeral Home.

 In 1960, Jack and Betty moved their young family to Puyallup where Jack took a fire inspector position in the insurance business.

In 1965, Jack was hired as the first paid Fire Chief in Edmonds WA. During his time in Edmonds, Chief Cooper was instrumental in bringing Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics and a 911 call center to Edmonds.

After retirement from the Fire Department in 1979 Jack started a new career in Christian camping.  Jack and Betty would travel all across the country serving in church camps until Betty’s health began to fail. After Betty passed away in 2013, Jack slowed down but continued to work at camps.

In 2015 Jack retired, returned to Sunnyside and married Laura Forgey.  Laura and Jack would spend eight years together until Jacks death just 11 days after their eighth anniversary.  During this time with Laura he became involved in the Retired Public Employees Council serving as a Chapter President and State Representative.

In addition to Laura, Jack is survived by 4 adult children from his life with Betty; Jack Jr and spouse Karen, Mike and spouse Chrystal, Kathy Kagey and spouse Dale, Beth Steeves and spouse David and four adult children from his life with Laura; Lim Forgey Jr, Cathy Chastain and spouse Rick, Lou Lee and spouse Doug, Lenora McBride and spouse Karl.  He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and two great great grand children.

A memorial celebration of Jack’s life will be held at 12:30 P.M. Saturday October 7 at Sunnyside First Baptist Church  409 S 8th Street.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to The Jack Cooper Camping Scholarship Fund at First Baptist Church 409 S 8th Street Sunnyside, WA 98944 or Sunnyside Firefighters Benevolent Fund PO Box 1165 Sunnyside, WA 98944.

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