OBIT: James Milton Cooper Jr.

James Milton Cooper Jr. (Deke/Jim) passed away on Sept. 8, 2024. He was born July 6, 1953 in San Saba County. Deke graduated from UT Arlington with his bachelor’s degree in political science. Young Deke aspired to change the political landscape, but life had other plans. He felt God called him to live on Lake Travis. So that’s where he went. He created a community of misfits known as the Lake Rats.

He had a daughter, Katherine Marie (Katie) and then met his life partner, Nancy. Together Nancy and Jim loved to travel and go to concerts. Having seen many great acts, such as Elton John, Celine Dion, The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie. They traveled to a new place each year, creating a lifetime of memories. They spent twenty-four years together, in good times and bad. He had two grandchildren that he loved and doted on - Isabella and Jasmine McCrady. He also had two more grandchildren through his wife’s daughter (Sarah Davis and spouse Sean Davis) whom he loved — Brooklynn and Makenzie Davis.

He is preceded in death by his parents (James Cooper and Frances Ayers), as well as his younger brother (Matthew Cooper). He is survived by his wife (Nancy Cooper), his daughter (Katie McCrady) with her husband (Chris McCrady) and their daughters (Isabella and Jasmine McCrady), his wife’s daughter (Sarah Davis), her husband (Sean Davis) and their two daughters (Brooklynn and Makenzie Davis), his uncle and aunt (H. L. and Thelma Ayers), his numerous cousins, and the surviving members of the Lake Rats.