James Sam Cooper,66, passed away at his residence in the Noble Community near Roxton, Texas on July 31, 2011.

James was born in Paris, Texas on December 11, 1944 to Walter and Alma Cooper. He married Kathy Thorpe on July 18, 1967 in Roxton, Texas.

His survivors include his wife Kathy Cooper; his daughter Stacie Bell and husband Jerimy Bell, and his youngest daughter, Stephanie Garza and husband Gonzalo Garza Jr. He has three special grandchildren, Tristin Bell, Aidan Garza, and Isabella Garza. Among his survivors are brothers, Bobby Cooper and wife Brenda of Roxton, and Walter Cooper Jr. of Paris, Texas. He is also survived by two sisters, Martha Duke of Roxton and Margaret Peltier of Richardson, Texas. He was respected and loved by his fifteen nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Alma Cooper, a sister, Sammie Maness; a niece, Lea Duke; three brothers-in-law, Pat Duke, Bob Peltier and Dewayne Self, and a sister-in-law Linda Cooper.

James graduated from Crosbyton High School and received his Bachelors degree in Psychology from East Texas State University. He worked thirteen years for the Texas Power and Light Company before purchasing and operating Cooper Fina/Mobile Station for thirty years.

He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Roxton, Roxton’s Volunteer Fire Department, and served on the Roxton ISD School Board. He has been a director for the Lamar Electric Cooperative for five years. He is also a member of the Roxton Masonic Lodge # 543 and of the York Rite of Paris. He served his country in the National Guard.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 in the Fine Arts Building at the Roxton Independent School District with Rev. Jerry Moore and Rev. Kyle Peters officiating. Burial will follow in the Restland Cemetery in Roxton with Benny Fields, Allen Branch, Don Nelson, Ronnie Ingram, Harvey McCoin, Milton Simms, Jack Nelson, Monte Canada, Scottie Calvin, Gary McKnight, and Larry Joe Bramlett serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be George Humphries, Van Duke, Keith Cooper, Jonathan Maness, Jason Maness, Justin Maness, Brent Cooper, Ty Basden, Jeff Rosson, Jimmy West, Cody West, Terry Allen and Herman Stork. Masonic services will be conducted by the Roxton Masonic Lodge # 543.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.

If desired in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Roxton Masonic Lodge # 543  Secretary of Lodge Roxton, Texas 75477.