James Marvin Cooper

James "Jim" Marvin Cooper, 86, departed his earthly home in Prescott, Arizona on June 26, 2023, to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jim was born on January 23, 1937, in Evansville, Indiana during the “Great Flood of 1937” to W. Marvin and Helen (Bottomley) Cooper. He spent his early childhood in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, but moved to Arizona at age 6, living in Tucson and eventually graduating from Phoenix Christian High School in 1955. He attended Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee and transferred to Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology. While living in Wheaton, he served as a police officer and a health inspector for DuPage County.

In 1963, Jim moved to Santa Barbara, California where he later became an investment banker and graduated from the New York Institute of Finance in 1967. While living in Santa Barbara, he pursued acting and had various roles in TV commercials for Ford Motor Company, as well as a small but memorable part in the 1970 film “Dad, Can I Borrow the Car?” also starring Kurt Russell. Meanwhile, he worked in the advancement department for Westmont College.

Jim married the love of his life, Janet Matlock, on April 24, 1971, in Santa Barbara, California. They subsequently moved to Hermosillo, Sonora (Mexico) to serve as missionaries at a local Christian school, before ultimately settling in Prescott, Arizona in 1974 for the remainder of his life. His son, James Marvin Cooper II was born in 1975. Jim was a long-time member of Solid Rock Christian Fellowship (formerly First Baptist Church of Prescott) from 1975 until the time of his death.

Jim had seemingly endless interests and talents. Throughout his life, he was an accomplished fine art painter, talented singer, actor, skilled carpenter and one who could fix or build practically anything. Jim was highly involved in Bible-smuggling efforts in the Eastern-bloc during the 1960s, and was well-traveled throughout Europe, as well as visiting southern Africa and Israel. He was also actively involved in the oil drilling and exploration business as well as farming in Indiana.

He lived his life with generosity toward his friends and family, and with his breadth of knowledge and experience, he had a story for everything. He would regularly regale his friends and family with stories of the numerous places he had visited and people he had met. He was never impressed by someone’s “status” in society, but only by the level of honesty and generosity that they showed others.

Jim is survived by Janet, his beloved wife of 52 years; his son, James; his daughter-in-law, Kira; and 2 grandchildren, Helen and James.

A graveside burial service will be held Wed, July 5 @ 10am at Mountain View Cemetery (immediately north of the YRMC hospital).