John Cooper, Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Cooper, Jr, age 91 of Pompton Plains, NJ.

John passed away peacefully on Monday, August 21, 2023 while receiving the loving care of his family.  John was born in his family home in Wyckoff, NJ and was one of four children to John and Hilda Cooper.  While growing up in Wyckoff, John excelled in the sport of baseball.  Since the town of Wyckoff did not have its own high school, John attended Ramsey High School.

In 1952, John got the call to serve his country in the Korean War and began his service with the United States Navy.  While serving in the US Navy, John was the Ship’s Chemist with his own laboratory on the USS Rehoboth.  The Rehoboth was commissioned as an oceanographic survey ship.  One of the highlights of John’s time aboard the Rehoboth was the rescue of the raft that was part of the Kon-Tiki expedition.  John was awarded the National Defense Medal, as well as the European Occupation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.   

Subsequent to his honorable discharge from the US Navy in 1956, John set out to become a Police Officer.  He joined the Oakland Police Department  where he earned the rank of Sergeant and eventually retired in 1990.

John was also a freelanced licensed plumber for over sixty years alongside his law enforcement career.  After retiring, he often helped his fellow church members and neighbors with their plumbing work.     

John later met and married Arlene Rogers on August 28, 1983. They adopted their first three children, Matthew, Elizabeth, and Brian.  Later the family moved to Pompton Plains where they adopted two more children, Sean and Abigail.  The family has called Pompton Plains their home ever since.   

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  John and Arlene cherished forty years of a loving and loyal marriage together.  In 2010 tragedy struck John’s family when his son Matthew passed away.  John was not only devoted to his family, but also to his Christian Faith. He gave continuous thanks to God for the many years he was blessed with.   He and his family for the past three years regularly attended the Trinity Baptist Church in Montville.

John was an easygoing, unstressed, and calm man.  He had a mellow disposition to him with a great sense of humor.  He had a heart of gold and would stop whatever he was doing to help someone out. 

John will be forever remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, and a man truly dedicated to his family.  He touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

John is survived by his wife Arlene ( Rogers) of Pompton Plains, his daughter Elizabeth Cooper, his son Brian Cooper, his son Sean Cooper, and his daughter Abigail Cooper all of Pompton Plains.  He is also survived by his daughters Sharon and Lisa, four grandchildren, and his brother Ronald Cooper of Wyckoff NJ.  He was predeceased by his son Matthew Cooper (2010), and by his two sisters Radie, and Jess. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital