John Wesley Cooper

Obituary for John Wesley Cooper

John Wesley Cooper, 89, of Marianna, Florida, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his beloved wife, Barbara June Parker Cooper, on August 7, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.

Born on September 9, 1936, John led a life defined by dedicated service, faith, and family.

Following high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving six years on destroyers stationed out of Mayport, Florida. After an honorable discharge, he settled in West Palm Beach, pursuing his love of South Florida and its coastal waters.

John spent his career in law enforcement, beginning as a Florida Conservation Officer in South Florida. He later served as a Florida State Trooper Traffic Homicide Investigator—a role that brought him to the Florida Keys, where he met and married the love of his life, Barbara. John eventually transitioned to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as an inspector for the Alcohol Breath Testing Program, transferring to North Florida and making Marianna his home in 1986.

A faithful member of Eastside Baptist Church, John built deep connections where friends truly became family. In his later years, he was an incredibly skilled craftsman who spent countless hours in his woodshop building, creating, restoring, and taking particular joy in crafting custom tables.

John is survived by his brother, Gary Cooper of Panama City, FL; his sister, Linda Cooper Wheeler of Albany, NY; his son, Dwayne (Rhonda) Cooper of Lehigh Acres, FL; and his three daughters, Christol (Kevin) Lott of Morganton, GA, Valerie (Chuck) Schimmelman of Marianna, FL, and Pamela Bohnstedt of Blairsville, GA. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He leaves a lasting legacy of love, laughter, kindness, and faith, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Eastside Baptist Churc

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