A man, who some call a Pillar of the Garnett Community, passed away last week. Jimmy Cooper, died at the age of 93. After attending Tarkio College in the late 1940’s, he began a distinguished banking career in Rock Port, Missouri. The journey, which took him to California to Kansas City before finally settling in Garnett in 1961, joining Garnett State Savings Bank. A few years later, he bought an interest in Peoples State Bank in Richmond and in 1977 acquired Kansas State Bank in Garnett, which later became Patriots Bank.
Beyond his professional life, Jim was an active member of the Garnett Community. He served as president, treasurer, and board member for the Rotary Club, the Garnett Housing Authority, the Chamber of commerce, the Jaycees, the Garnett Country Club, and the Garnett Race Association. Jim found immense joy in the simple pleasures of life, including listening to jazz music, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, and playing golf.
However, he would often say that his greatest achievement was his family, and his greatest joy came from being “papa Jim” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Service will be held Wednesday, June 18th, at 10:30 at Garnett First Christian Church burial in the Garnett Cemetery which will be preceded by a lively New Orleans jazz band procession, honoring his love for jazz.
