Jerome “Dickie” Richard Cooper

Jerome “Dickie” Richard Cooper, age 68, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. He was born on November 30, 1957 in Toledo, Ohio to Joe and Bettie Cooper.

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As a teenager, Dickie was heavily involved in sports and played football, basketball, and baseball. He was also a die hard L.A. Chargers fan.  At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Army and later was honorably discharged. On August 23, 1980 he married Katrina L. Cooper (deceased) and they had three beautiful children together.  He remained in Toledo before moving to Memphis, Tennessee where he resided for most of his adult years and met his life partner, Linda Cooper. Dickie served the Memphis community as a youth basketball coach and spent his remaining career as a security guard with Clairon Security before retiring after 10 years.

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Dickie is preceded in death by his father, mother, and sisters – Estella “Louise” McCray, Barbara “Punkin” Joyce Cooper, LaDonna Cooper, Kathy Cooper, and Anna “Beattle” Hopings. He is survived by his life partner of 30 years, Linda Cooper; children, daughter Keesha Johnson (Kenneth Johnson), sons, Rashad and Jerome Cooper; grandchildren, Kia Cooper (Javier Johnson), Ke’Shon Johnson, and Camden Cooper; sisters, Essie “Bunny” Armstrong, Debra Cooper-Riley, and Annette Cooper; and best friend of over 55 years, Cleveland “Chock” Rogers (Donna Rogers).

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Services with military honors will be held at a later date with close family and friends. The family would also like to thank Dickie’s care team at Woodland Grove Health and Rehabilitation Center and all of the medical staff that supported him during his transition.