Retired Edmonds Fire Chief Jack Cooper went to live with God in heaven on September 16, 2023. He was a loving husband, dad, Grandpa, uncle and brother. Jack was born November 2, 1930 in Burleson, Texas, to Ferg and Bertha Cooper and spent most of his youth in Texas before moving to Sunnyside, WA, while in high school. He played football and boxed for the Sunnyside Grizzlies and was also a thespian. After high school, he married his sweetheart, Betty Lou Harrel. In March 1951, Jack was hired as Assistant Fire Chief by the City of Sunnyside, a position he held for 9 years. During his early years in the fire department, Jack was an accomplished amateur boxer.
In 1960, Jack and Betty moved their young family to Puyallup where Jack took a fire inspector position in the insurance business. While in Puyallup, Jack spent five years as a Volunteer Firefighter.
In 1965, Jack was hired as the first paid Fire Chief in Edmonds, WA.