Dr. James Logan Cooper passed away on August 3, 2018 at the age of 93. He was born in Brownwood, Texas on December 27, 1924 to Rev. R.B. Cooper, Sr. and Mrs. Bonnie O’Neal Cooper. Dr. Cooper graduated from Howard Payne University, which also honored him with an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree; Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary; and East Texas State University.
His first pastorate, at age nineteen, was a rural church in Hamilton County. Later he served as pastor of the First Baptist Churches in Allen, Whitewright, and Bishop. Dr. Cooper’s last pastorate was the First Baptist Church of Oak Cliff where he served for sixteen years.
He was active in denominational affairs having served as Moderator of the Dallas Baptist Association, a trustee of Howard Payne University, a member of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and First Vice-President of the Baptist Convention.
In 1972, Dr. Cooper became the first Coordinator of Ministers Counseling Service, a ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. In this capacity, which he held for sixteen years prior to his retirement, he provided counseling for ministers and their families and conducted numerous conferences and retreats. Dr. Cooper was the author of many articles published by the Baptist Sunday School Board. He co-authored a book for young ministers titled Beginning Your Ministry. While employed by the Convention, Dr. Cooper was involved in sixteen different interim pastorates.
As a member of the First Baptist Church of Richardson, he served on numerous committees and taught a Sunday school class. He conducted conferences for Texas Baptist Laity Institute.
Dr. Cooper is survived by his wife of 69 years, Nora Marie Capps Cooper of Plano, Texas; his son, Robert Glen Cooper of Seattle, Washington; his daughter, Carolyn Ann Cooper of Plano, Texas; his granddaughter, Jessica Marie Morris of Dallas, Texas and her husband, Adam Morris; his great-granddaughter, Eleanor Ann Morris; and his brother, Dr. R.B. Cooper, Jr. of Greenville, South Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2018 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Anna, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Howard Payne University, 1000 Fisk Ave., Brownwood, Texas 76801.