James Stephen Cooper, better known as Coop, passed away at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas on February 28, 2019 at the age of 69. James was born in Moberly, MO on March 12, 1949. He graduated from Moberly High School in 1967 as a multi-sport athlete; which he dominated in football, basketball, baseball and track. He served in the United States Navy from 13 November 1968 until 24 February 1970. He moved to Texas in the summer of 1974 and worked at Dallas Area Rapid Transit DART for 30 years before he retired in 2004.Coop was preceded in death by his father, James O. Cooper; and his mother, Betty Burgess. He is survived by his children; Melissa Jackson (Columbia, MO), Stephen Williams and his wife, Lonia Williams (Fort Stewart, GA); four grandchildren, CeAnna Robinson (Columbia, MO), Sania Williams (Fort Stewart, GA), Stephene Williams (Fort Stewart, GA), Stephen Williams Jr. (Fort Stewart, GA); three brothers, Jeffrey Burgess (Kansas City, MO), Jerome Burgess (Raytown MO), and Kevin Burgess (Kirksville, MO); two sisters, Vanessa Burgess (Columbia, MO) and Andrea Davis, (Columbia, MO); several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.While going through some writing of Coop, our father, he left the world and his kids with this: Make sure that your children know you love them no matter what. Dont confuse this with permissiveness. Unconditional love does nothing to encourage the wrong kind of behavior. In fact, kids who are secure in their fathers love tend to act out less, not more. Were talking about us here. Children dont want another buddy; they want a Dad. They want someone who thinks things through, makes tough decisions and engages life with responsibility. Someone they can count on.The memorial service will be held on Saturday 16 March 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Brooks Family Chapel of the North Dallas Funeral Home, 2710 Valley View Lane Dallas, Texas 75234. 18 March 2019 Veteran James Stephen Cooper will be placed in his rightful home at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.The repass will be held 16 March 2019 at 3:00 p.m. 803 Brookhaven Drive, Lancaster, Texas 75134.Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.