James Kenneth “Kenny” Cooper, founder of Cooper Steel, departed this life to go home to be with The Lord Jesus Christ on the morning of June 8. After a long struggle with illness, he passed peacefully in his sleep at his home.
He was born October 7, 1932 as the only child to the late J.E. and Edith Cooper in the Bedford Community. He was preceded in death by his wife Faye Waggoner Cooper after 62 years of marriage.
Survivors include wife Pearly White Cooper, sons Barry Don (Pamela) Cooper of Shelbyville and Gary Kenneth (Terri) Cooper of Nashville, one stepson, Billy Moore of Christiana, six grandchildren Terry Don Cooper of Wartrace, Arenda Jane Groves of Madisonville, K.Y., Matthew Garrett Cooper of Decatur, Ala., Cory Lee Cooper of Franklin, Jordan Kendrick (Brittney) Cooper of Brentwood, and Sydney Cathryn Cooper of Nolensville, and one step-granddaughter Toshia (Josh) Moore Pitts. He also has six great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren. He was greatly loved and admired by all his family.
When he was five years old, he lost 80% of his hearing but did not let that handicap stop him from pursuing the American Dream of having his own business. While working at Uniroyal as a young adult, he attended welding school in Nashville and bought a small flatbed truck to haul his one welding machine as a moonlighting operation. In 1960 at the age of 28, he quit his day job to found what has become Cooper Steel. That modest start by a determined young entrepreneur was greatly blessed by God (by his way of thinking) and has grown to be a steel fabricating and erecting company serving customers in many states.
He loved his God, his family, his friends, and the people of the company he founded and lead for many years. He loved to build. After his retirement from the company, he spent his later years seeking out various Christian and humanitarian causes (many of them local) to support financially and otherwise. He especially loved supporting capital projects such as church additions, free food distribution facilities, Christian organizations that housed and helped foster kids and kids in crisis, and Christian schools. His example of extreme generosity was taught to his children such that his example of giving continues. He also liked to read books by Christian authors and recommend the best of them to family and friends.
He was a member of Edgemont Baptist Church where he attended until his health declined and was a member of the Gideons.
A special word of thanks is given to caregivers Tamra Whitley and Debbie Morgan.
Visitation will be held at Edgemont Baptist Church on Sunday, June 11, from 4-8 p.m. and again on Monday, June 12, from 1 p.m. until the celebration of his life that will be held at 2 p.m. at the church. Bro. Jeff Rasnick will conduct the service. Burial will follow at New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will be active and retired employees of Cooper Steel and Gideons and Auxiliary members of the Shelbyville camp.
In lieu of flowers, he would be honored by your donation to Cooper Christian Academy, PO Box 6, Shelbyville, TN 37162, Circle of Friends Christian Preschool, or to a charity of your choice.
Doak-Howell Funeral Home is serving the family.
