I'm thankful that I have been given the opportunity to express publicly how the life of Jim Cooper affected me these past 40 years.

This is not a Eulogy but an account of the experiences my wife and I had with Jim.

If I had to choose one adjective to describe Jim it would be FAITHFUL (Webster Dictionary defines it as the true believer).  No matter what circumstances we found ourselves in, whether it was relaxing in Florida or sitting on the roadside after an accident, Jim was faithfully praising the Lord for blessing or deliverance.

I have an acrostic of the word FAITHFUL as it applies to Jim:

F  Father  I was fortunate to have two Fathers, one who was related to me physically and Jim who was my spiritual Father and mentor.  I not only received spiritual advice from Jim; his lifestyle left an everlasting impression on my life.

A  Attitude  Whenever I was discouraged trying to complete some job, Jim always had a positive attitude.  "Well, Bill, I think we can fix that up" - my pump lost it's prime, he came over and found the leak in the line;  I didn't know how to build the kitchen cupboards, in no time he gave me a hand and I was rejoicing with him.

I  Interested  Whether it was my hobbies, volunteer work in Welland, my friends, Jim gave full interest.

T  Teachable  Introducing Jim to a new approach, helpful hint, interpretation of a word, the time signature in music - He listened and accepted my advice - later on he would tell me how my advice came in handy.

H  Helpful  There have been a number of carpentry jobs Jim has helped me complete - installed my garage door opener, fixed my dishwasher (with WD 40).  Jim was always willing and capable to do any task.

F  Fellowship  Skip-Bo evenings (which he and I rarely won), Bible study devotion - travelling each summer on short holidays, in Cooper's home or on Manitoulin Island, Jim shared food, laughter, accommodations, song and praise.

U  Upholder  (Is defined as one who gives moral support).  Many times Jim shared with me the moral side of business, whether it was operating a garage or Real Estate.  Also the respect he had for the people he has dealt with in his lifetime.

L  Love  He witnessed his love for his Saviour in song, word and deed and he related to me his sorrow when those he knew did not share his love for Jesus.

It is not often that we meet a person who has many fine qualities that you know you do not possess.  When you have Christian fellowship with such a person, cherish it, because by doing so you will be a blessing to each other.  This is what Jim Cooper was to me.

Celebration of Life Service

in memory of

JAMES (JIM) COOPER

16 October 1919 to 3 August 2000

Monday, 7 August 2000 - West Guilford Gospel Chapel

Officiating:  Greg Brown

Pianist:  Kim Brown

Welcome

Opening Prayer

Duet - Betty & Neil Moore

Finding Our Hope in the Word of God - Greg Brown

A Tribute to Jim - poem written by Stu Wilson

read by Gina Brohm (granddaughter)

Hymn - It Is Well With My Soul

Sharing Memories of Jim - Bill Hlywka

Hymn - Sweet By and By

A Tribute To Our Dad - from His Daughters

read by Judy McKenna (daughter)

Duet - Betty & Neil Moore

A Tribute to Our Poppa - from his Grandchildren

read by Shelley Orlowski (granddaughter)

Eulogy - Garry Lonsberry

Hymn - When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder

Closing Prayer

The congregation is invited to join Doris and her family for the Internment -

Maple Lake United Church.  Following this there will be a time for

fellowship over some refreshments at West Guilford Community Centre

A tribute to you Dad.  What an impossible task!  How can we ever find the words to express the overwhelming love and admiration we feel for you?  Whom here could ever find the time to listen to us tell all the stories we can tell of your many accomplishments?

Perhaps at best we can only humbly say thank you.  Our message isn't for the audience, Dad.  It is for you.  Thank you for being the best father a girl could hope for!  We know, Dad, God never gave you the son you wanted and we're glad because we went on the tow truck calls, pumped gas, went ice fishing, snowmobiled, went hunting, hammered in the workshop, and drove the jeep at too early an age to mention.

Thank you, Dad, for your silent advice.  You showed us by example.  Our life choices were our own, and you always supported our decisions.  You accepted our friends, our mistakes, our life styles, our life partners!

Thank you for your corny jokes!  We were your first audience, your second, and your third!  Remember, Dad, when you took up magic tricks?!  The memories abound:  Scribbling in and later reading your diaries; helping you study for exams for one of your many careers; increasing your airplane log hours by flying in our lunches to school!

Thank you, Dad, for your limitless pocket book!  Two weddings in one year, countless hours of free labour in each of our homes, and numerous presents for 7 grandchildren in 5 years.

We thank you Dad for your godliness.  You modelled your life after Jesus Christ, and for that we never knew you to lie or act dishonestly.  Your morals never disappointed us.

We thank you most of all Dad for your spirit!  A spirit that loved people and loved life.  Many times we returned home to drink from that well of joy.  You were our fountain of eternal youth.  In your presence the worries diminished and the fires rekindled.

And we know Dad, don't we, that a tribute to you would be void without turning our eyes on that saint who has stood beside you for 60 years, a woman of God, lent by him to walk on earth by your side.  Our true angel.

You treated Mom like a queen.  You treated your daughters like princesses.  To be raised by parents like you, Dad and Mom, we thank you both.  We know no greater joy!