James Benedict Cooper, 81, of Boise passed away peacefully, Monday, March 26, 2018 at his home surrounded by his loving wife and her children. He was born September 23, 1936 to LaVerne and Louise (Ward) Cooper in Boise, Idaho. He was raised and educated in Boise-High School 1952 - 1955, in ROTC 1952 - 1955, attended college at Boise State Junior College 1957. He joined the Marines and served as a Boise Marine Corps Reservist. As a child "Ben" was always the sweet easy going one whereas his sister and brother were the more feisty ones..if anyone would hurt Ben, they, Barb and Mick were all over the bullys! As they grew up Ben became the protector, never unkind, he was sweet and forgiving. He often swallowed his pain and did not air it out. It was always fun to be around Ben as he was always entertaining everyone with his stories about his sister Barbara and his brother Mick. He loved and spent much time with his siblings and cousins Joan Butler and Richard Knorr. The five of them He was married in 1957. He and Sally had three children: Karen (Carson), Wendy (Givens)and Michael Cooper. They were later divorced. In 2003 he married a longtime friend Brenda Bailey and with her came three more children: Jerry Sharp, Marisa Sharp and Danica Kaesemeyer and three grandchildren: Hannah, Curtis and Cooper. James also considered the Ti'a family as part of his family. They included John, "Tee", J.T., Ami, Netta and Eli. He was a loving, doting husband and father. He was always there to pick you up, always loving, never judgmental. As a grandpa he had a "Grandpa's Day Camp" which he enjoyed spending time with some of his grandchildren. Ben held several jobs. He was a Cow hand working for his uncle Jack aunt Mary Glover. During this time his daughters Karen and Wendy were born. He worked for Gate City Steel in Boise as a Yardsman Crane Rigger operator; as a clerk for CC Anderson; worked for Kaiser in Mountain Home on the Missile Silo contruction,; worked for Martin Marietta in Boise, the Littlerock Airforce Base, Moses Lake, WAS and Rapid City, North Dakota; Yanke Machine Shop where he was the general business manager; and was a co-owner/founder of A.E.S. Inc. An Employment Source with offices in Meridian and Post Falls and A.E.S. Inc. An Employment Solution located in Bellingham, Washington. Ben participated in Y Indian Guides, Boise City Club, Purchasing Managers Association and PTA Stunt Night. Ben was preceded in death by his parents Audry LaVern (Cy) and Esther Louise; a step-father Phill Shelley; two aunts Mary Glover and Harriet (Horty) Walker; grandparents Kate and Henry Ward. He is survived by his wife Brenda; their children:Karen (Daryl) Carson, Wendy (Jim deceased ) Givens, Michael (Linda) Cooper, Jerry Sharp, Marisa (Eric) Sharp-Boyd, Danica (Jerry) Kaesemeyer; John Ti'a, "Tee" Ti'a; grandchildren: Jake Carson, Melissa Scholes, Stephanie Troester, Jaime Leach, Kate Henmen, Hannah Kaesemeyer, Curtis Kaesemeyer, Cooper Kaesemeyer, J.T. Ti'a, Ami Ti'a, Netta Ti'a and Eli Ti'a; his siblings Barbara Knorr and Michael "Mick" (Dora) Cooper; his cousins Joann Butler and Richard Morse; serveral great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd in Nampa. (208-467-7300)
Add comment