James Gary Cooper

James Gary Cooper, age 87, passed away June 23, 2026 in his home in St. George, UT, He was born on December 30, 1938 in Tucson, AZ to James Leroy Cooper and Mildred Adelia Post Cooper. 

Gary was the oldest of six children and a twin to his sister, Gayle Cooper Bramwell. He married Lucia Angelica Espin Cooper in the Mesa, AZ temple on January 22, 1966. 

Gary was raised in Tucson, AZ and Mesa, AZ, where he worked on the family dairy farm, he was involved in Future Farmers of America, football, wrestling, and the Boy Scouts of America. He served a full time mission in the Central America Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1959-1961. He also served in the United States Army.

He graduated from college with a Bachelor Degree in International Finance and Economics from Arizona State University. Upon graduation, Gary and Lucia moved to California so he could work for Bank of America and later Food Machinery Corporation (FMC) as International Sales Manager where he traveled the world building and developing food processes and factories. Gary was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and he served others in many callings throughout his life. Gary’s mission journal is archived in the Church Historian’s office in Salt Lake City, UT for anyone to see. 

Gary enjoyed riding motorcycles, reading scriptures with his family, singing in the choir, movie nights at home, sharing childhood stories, and taco Tuesdays.

Gary is survived by four children: James Bart Cooper, Firestone, CO, James Espin Cooper, St. George, UT married to Danielyn Casas Cooper, Katrina Steineckert, St. George, UT, James Brandon Cooper, Las Vegas, NV., eleven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his siblings: Gayle Cooper Bramwell (twin), Lindon, UT, Morris Post Cooper (deceased), Conny Cooper Curtis, Gilbert, AZ, and Jan Cooper Petersen, St. George, UT.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday July 11, 2026 at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fossil Hills Ward at 1130 E. Brigham Rd. St. George, UT 84790. Prior to the funeral services there will be a viewing from 9:30-10:45am. Interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery at 1777 S. Dixie Dr. St. George, UT 84770.

Funeral services may be viewed by clicking the livestream below.