John Walter Cooper

When the world loses one of the good ones, what can be said? John was one of the good ones. He was a person that instantly made you welcome. He was the friend who would do anything for you. He was the sibling who always had your back. He was the husband you dream of. He was the father everyone wanted. He was definitely the epitome of what it means to be a grandparent.

More than anything in life he loved his family, and we loved him. From embracing you in the biggest and best bear hug to supporting everyone with words of wisdom and encouragement, he was the type of person you wanted to be around. He was down for anything, and always brought to everything a joy and happiness that radiated throughout the room.

When someone like John passes it’s hard to process what’s next… because the love he provided was that huge. He knew what it meant to love with everything you have. He knew this was a journey and you have to enjoy the ride. He knew that all moments, whether it be watching his grandchildren be born or hanging out in the backyard by the pool with family and friends, mattered. He made everything matter.

John, Johnny, Uncle John, Dad, Juanaldo, Juan the pool boy, Papa John, Papa… we will miss you more than any words can suffice. We will carry on everything that made you, you. Bear hugs. Your laugh. Being the grill master. Your childlike spirit. Your love of dogs. Ordering that extra side of bacon. Helping those in need. Quest for knowledge. Making giant bowls of Whirley Pop. Living in the moment. Your charm. That smile. Loving like there is no tomorrow.
John Walter Cooper, age 72, died suddenly Tuesday morning, July 12, 2022.
John was born May 11, 1950 in Denver, Colo., to Alice Knight Cooper and John T. Cooper Jr., both originally from Oklahoma. Johnny was the fourth of the five children the Coopers would have in a family that would leave Denver in November of 1953 and travel by ship to Manila, P.I. where John’s Dad was appointed by President Eisenhower to serve as Manager of the Veterans Affairs office in Manila.
John’s earliest memories were a jumble of opposites from the Rocky Mountains to black sand beaches in post war Manila, from weekends in the mountain cabin that his father built in Evergreen, Colo., to the diplomatic life style of Forbes Park, Manila.
He attended early grades primary at the American School of Manila, played cowboys and Indians in the back yard of their home, and explored beaches, coconut plantations, and volcanoes with his family. In 1957, the Cooper family returned to Wewoka, Okla., where John’s Dad reopened a law practice he had operated prior to military service. Bobby, Johnny and Dickie, as the Cooper boys were affectionately known, started playing baseball, capture the flag, and helping their Dad with cattle.
He graduated from Wewoka High School in 1968. John attended the University of Oklahoma and studied Liberal Arts. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and joined the ROTC at the height of the Vietnam War. At his first summer training camp, it has been said that he had a brief encounter during tank driving skills class that resulted in a damaged Colonel’s jeep.

John began his career in the oil and gas industry working alongside his father at the family company, MCROW. Over the span of his career he held various positions at Enogex LLC, Devon Energy and Apache Corporation. He retired from Enable Midstream Partners in 2015. His family were sad they could no longer jokingly call him ‘the gas man’ after he retired. During energy downturns, he filled his time by working at Ferguson Pontiac GMC and dealing Blackjack at casinos. He even took a run at the Oklahoma State Senate in 1986.

John is the definition of a family man. Through his marriage with Janeen Hall he honed his parenting skills by loving and caring for his step children, Andrew and Jennifer Hanna. John welcomed his wonderful daughter, Lindsey Cooper, on September 21, 1981. She was his greatest source of pride. John would travel great distances to watch her play golf and support her at every opportunity.

John’s career took him to Colorado, Texas, and eventually moving back to Oklahoma to be closer to his daughter and family. It was then he met the love of his life, Patti Davis. They wed on September 29, 2007. They made a welcoming and loving home together where they enjoyed spending time in the backyard by the pool, watching competitive events at OU (most recently celebrating OU Women’s Softball National Championship), traveling, golf and anything serendipitous. They were always on the go, having fun and sneaking their dog, Mini, copious amounts of scraps from the table.

With Patti came two spirited daughters, Amanda and Sarah Davis, who quickly became bonus daughters to him. He thought his life was complete with the addition of sons-in-law – Scott Ragan, Mike Gudgell and Matt Quinlivan. This was until his grandchildren started arriving. He loved his grandchildren more than anything. He cherished every minute loving on and playing with Presley Ragan, and Caroline and Davis Gudgell.

John is survived by wife, Patti Davis, and puppy, Mini Cooper of Norman; daughter Lindsey, and husband Scott, Ragan of Atlanta; step-daughter Amanda, and husband Mike, Gudgell of Lawrence, Kan.; step-daughter, Sarah, and husband Matt, Quinlivan of Kansas City; grandchildren, Presley Ragan, Caroline and Davis Gudgell. He continued to love step-children Andrew Hanna, Jennifer Plank and family. Other survivors include siblings Cynthia and husband Dick Baker of Cincinnati; Melanie and husband Gary Lewis of Maude, Okla.; Robert Cooper of Westcliffe, Colo.; and Richard Cooper of Sun Valley, Calif., as well as a host of well-loved nieces and nephews, and friends who loved him very much. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alice Knight Cooper and John T. Cooper Jr.

John was a believer in God. We are comforted knowing he is watching over us, and will get to experience his warm embrace again in the future. In addition, in his death he is still helping others through tissue donation. Classic John.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to two of John’s favorite things. Second Chance Animal Shelter (https://www.secondchancenorman.com/donate/) and First Tee – Norman-Westwood Park chapter (https://firstteemetokc.org/donate/).