John Cooper
February 28, 1972 ~ August 20, 2022
John 'Big John' Cooper, 50, of Cedar Rapids, died August 20, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Memorial Service: 11:00 AM Friday August 26, 2022, at the Open Bible Church, 1911 E Avenue NW in Cedar Rapids. Pastor Harris Holsapple will officiate. Visitation will take place immediately prior to the service starting at 9:00 AM. A luncheon will follow the service in the church hall.
John was born February 28, 1972, in Cedar Rapids, to Ella 'Miss Bea' Cooper and John Walker Sr. John was known for his outgoing personality. He never met a stranger. Everyone he met was a friend. Even though John faced many health challenges, he always kept a positive attitude and had a smile on his face. John put his faith, family, and friends above everything else.
John is survived by his loving wife, Mary; children, Maylissa and Taiquan; stepdaughters, Megan, Briana, and Lily; four grandchildren, Olivia, Elliana, Everley, and Raidan; sister Joyce (Marvin) Cropp; half-sisters, Lisa and Kathy Walker; sister-in-law, Deb Jones; brother-in-laws, Josh and Nick Farrell; many cousins, nieces and nephews; his beloved dog, Minah; and numerous close friends that he considered family.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his siblings, MaryAnn Ballew, Charles 'Pookie' Cooper, Robert, John 'Larry' and Ann Walker; sister-in-law, Kathee Felton.
The family would like to extend a thank you to Mercy Hospital for their great care, and a special thank you to the Dialysis Team.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial tributes be directed to Mary Cooper to assist with funeral expenses.
Please find the full obituary and share your support and memories with John's family on his tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
John, you were a very kind person. I remember when I got locked out of Debbie’s house, you opened up your home and let me in. You sat and waited with me and we got to chat! Thank you John, may God bless you. Angel
John is the purest person I know. He said it how he thought it was and that’s that. Very good person, father, husband,and friend. Blowing kisses to you and your family.
My dear brother John don’t know how to begin so many memories, growing up as childhood friends across the street from each other, Playing football / basketball up at McKinley till midnight walking the Avenue on the weekends or just hanging out on the porch. All the barbecues birthday parties and social gatherings with family, over the years we became more than friends we became family. I will miss your big smile brother your laughter humor and our long in depth conversations. I’m so thankful for the nearly 40 yr friendship we shared , so thankful that I was able to Visit with you multiple times while in the hospital, engaging in long conversations Reminiscing about the good old days. So proud of the man you’d become Great husband, father, grandfather, brother, son ,uncle, cousin and friend to all you knew.. I’m so glad our children got to know one another over the years so that they may continue the family bond Our family’s have. All of Cedar Rapids will miss you bro.
RIP
You definitely made your mark.
May, we are so sorry for your loss. We hope you find peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Growing up! Big John all day everyday no matter the season.
Always enjoyed working with John and Mary to help Taiquan at Roosevelt. Vicky Romano
My memory of Big John is from my childhood. My brother William and cousins Ben and Cliff were always hanging out with him. He always had a smile on his face and made me feel welcome.
40 years of friendship. I’m blessed to have known such great person.
Q: How did you meet John?
A: Meet and John grew up across the street from each other on 14th Street and 7th Ave From as far back as I can recall I remembered you around 11 yrs old catching charlie horses at darn near midnight waking up the neighborhood hollering and my consequence for you getting them , I had to get up with mom to help get your cramp out. Because you had spent the whole day with me, Shawna and Lori Doolin running around and climbing up and down the tree in my backyard. To the teenage days of playing basketball outside Mck and Metro where you would just stay on one side of court and wait for someone to throw you the ball for easy baskets 😂 all the time I’m yelling that’s cheating. because I was tired and out of breath 😂 and you would be chuckling about it So many memories bro! We went from Kids kicking it at QT eating burritos and Dunkin sticks to grown men fussing over pickle dip. 😂 But the whole part of all this is that we never skipped a beat being apart of each other’s life. I love you always John. I’m so thankful we were blessed to know each other and journey in this life having each other’s back and being Brothers. Your family is my family. Peace and comfort over every one that’s apart of his life.
John it feels like I’ve known you my entire life. I cannot believe you’re gone and will always miss your laugh and jokes. You were Big John to everyone, Big wasn’t just your size it was your personality, your humor, and your heart! Go with God my brother, and keep laughing for us. I hope to see you again someday.
I knew Big John when I was very young. He was always so happy and friendly. He was friends with my sister and when he came over to hang out he would always bring me a treats. He treated me like a friend, and not just someone’s pesky little sister. I will always remember Big John as a happy young man, with the biggest heart and the warmest hugs. He will be missed so very much.
Q: What will you never forget about John?
A: He was my brother I will never ever forget my brother I was with him from day one. I can tell a whole lot about my brother and if I started it would end up being a big thick book. John loved his cheese sandwiches and chips. Mom would always make sure John had his favorite food. 🤣 He as nd his lifetime friend Ben would always be in the house eating, mom would tell them don’t be wasting no food around here one time Ben and John was eating and Ben needed some ketchup and mom told him to be careful he hit the bottom of the squirt bottle and all the ketchup came flying out. Ben had to pay the price for that. John’s other lifelong friend Corey was the fastest runner I knew John and I was trying to catch my son because he had a butt whipping coming he was trying to get away, John said to Corey “get him ” Coreymy son thought he was getting away he didn’t. He came up with a name for his niece which was ” Grace Jones ” where he got that at I do not know. I could share a lifetime of stories about my brother, but it would take to long. He just had to follow me everywhere I went and people use to think he was my son. That’s how close we were as siblings. I miss my brother terribly
Q: What will you never forget about John?
A: I was 14years old when my brother was born and I remember when mom had laid him on the bed just for a minute, and all of a sudden john was not there anymore. I looked and I heard a little whimper and john was in between the bed and the wall the only thing that kept him from hitting the floor was his head. I got jim out he was okay. We went everywhere together wherever I was John was there too.
When I would have children accompany me to Papa John’s from our children’s ministry, I would always tell them we were going to meet John. I let the kids assume that he was the John in “Papa John’s.” He always made us feel special, yet we were just customers. I can’t imagine the loss his family must feel, as I sense the loss and we were just acquaintances.