James Milton “Jim” Cooper, 83, of Hewitt, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026. A visitation in his honor will begin at 10:00am, Monday, July 20, 2026 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, a funeral service will follow at 11:00am, with burial at Waco Memorial Park. 

Jim was born on April 30, 1943, in Waco, Texas, to Milton Amzi Cooper and Hattie Belle Sego Cooper. He attended Waco schools and graduated from Waco High School in 1961. After graduation, Jim worked at Word Records, where he met the love of his life, Norma Kay Lillard. They married in 1964 and shared more than 60 years together.

After their marriage, Jim worked for Rocketdyne in McGregor, Texas, where they welcomed their son, Michael, in 1967. He later accepted a position with a contact lens company, which moved the family to Houston briefly. Returning to Waco, Jim continued his career in the contact lens industry, and their daughter, Colleen, was born in 1970.

Jim later joined First Financial, where he worked for more than 20 years. He then purchased First Choice Autos, where he and Norma worked side by side for 20 years before closing the business. He continued working at First City JayHawk until his retirement. Jim was respected throughout his career for his dedication, integrity, and strong work ethic.

Jim enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He loved camping, boating, water skiing, fishing, hunting, and playing golf. Some of his greatest joys came from time spent on the lake, outdoors, and making memories with those he loved.

Jim is survived by his wife, Norma Kay Cooper; his son, Michael Cooper and wife, Maria Cooper; his daughter, Colleen Cooper Ling and husband, Neil Ling; his grandchildren, Allison Seale and husband, Zac Seale, Morgan Ling, Garrett Cooper, and Mason Ling; his great-grandchildren, Emma Seale and Wyatt Seale; his niece, Julie Cessna Quinn; and his nephew, Jerry Cessna and wife, Priscilla, along with many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Milton Amzi Cooper and Hattie Belle Sego Cooper; his sister, Elizabeth Cessna; and his brother-in-law, Gerald Cessna.

Jim will be remembered for his love of family, his dependable nature, his work ethic, and the many memories he created throughout his life. His example and the values he shared will continue through the family he loved.

Jim is in the care of Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive, Waco, Texas 76712. Funeral service arrangements are currently pending and will be announced by the family at a later date.

The family extends their sincere appreciation to Stoney Brook and the staff of the Memory Care Unit, as well as Gentiva Hospice, especially Hillary and Cameron, for the compassionate care and support provided to Jim and his family.