Jack Cooper

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Mr. Jack Bernard Cooper, 92, of Concord, who passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Atrium Health Cabarrus, surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial service to celebrate Jack’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Concord, NC, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Jim Collier. The family will greet friends following the service in the church Fellowship Hall.

Born on September 4, 1931 in Charlotte, NC, Jack was the beloved son of the late Ora Delle Rhodes Cooper and Raymond Haynie Cooper. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeanne Fields Cooper, and sister, Margaret Cooper Barbrey.

Jack grew up in Charlotte until he was 12 years old. He and his family then returned to his parents’ previous home in Gray Court, SC to help care for his grandfather who had suffered a debilitating accident.

He graduated from Laurens High School in Laurens, SC where he played tackle on the varsity football team. Jack was a proud graduate of Clemson University with a BS degree in Civil Engineering and was a member of Company C-4 of the Pershing Rifles Drill Team. Upon his graduation, he served four and a half years as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force being stationed in Colorado Springs, CO and Bitburg, Germany. He often said the Air Force provided many opportunities to see places.

Upon returning to the states, Jeanne and Jack settled in Albemarle, NC where Jack accepted a job with Collins & Aikman. While working for Collins & Aikman, he attended and graduated from the Executive Development program of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School where he made several lifelong friends. Jack’s career with Collins & Aikman spanned 40 years with his retiring in 1998 as Vice President of Corporate Engineering and Real Estate. His tenure with Collins & Aikman consisted of procurement of properties, designing buildings, and contracting construction of manufacturing plants around the world for automotive carpeting. His architectural design for their Charlotte corporate office won an architectural award in the mid-1960s.

Jack played golf all throughout his life and said many times, “Golf has been very good to me.” He was also an avid contract bridge player, fisherman, and hunter who for many years enjoyed duck and goose hunting trips to Currituck Sound with friends.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Concord, NC and served in many capacities for 48 years. He was a church Deacon, a member of its Board of Trustees, as well as church Treasurer.

Jack is survived by his daughters, Laura C. Patterson and her husband, Lex, of Concord, NC and Amy M. Cooper of Concord, NC; his son, Paul R. Cooper and his wife, Sonya, of Waxhaw, NC; his grandson, John A. Patterson of Concord, NC; his granddaughter, Lydia M. Cooper of Waxhaw, NC; his niece, Jill C. Dominick and her husband, Michael, of Boulder, CO; his great-niece, Dayton C. Clark of London, UK; and his longtime companion, Carolyn K. Timms to whom the family wishes to extend their sincere thanks for her friendship, love, and devotion to Jack.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 200 Branchview Drive SE, Concord, NC 28025; The Salvation Army, PO Box 11209, Concord, NC 28026; or to the charity of one’s choice.

As a devoted Christian man, husband, and father, he will be greatly missed.