John Robert Cooper

Friends and family lost a kind and gentle mentor this past week at the passing of Bob Cooper. His faithful friend and constant companion, Charlotte, a part-Dachshund rescue dog, was by his side. Bobby, as he was known by close friends and family, was just 71.

Bobby was a precocious child. As soon as he learned to speak, he began honing his conversational skills. The art of gentle persuasion soon followed. He became quite accomplished as an engaging, entertaining, soft-spoken and sharp-witted conversationalist, stoked by an interesting and inquisitive mind. He was sociable and savvy. If mutual admiration manifested, he genuinely became your friend for life.

Bobby developed an interest in music and the arts at an early age. His love for Broadway and musical theater took root in the 1960s when he and his family frequented productions at the St. Louis Muny Opera and the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, where he enjoyed most of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. He later developed a love for the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim.

Bobby mastered the piano at a tender young age, studying with Wilna Moffett at Millikin University in Decatur. He soon became proficient on the string bass and played in the Taylorville schools under the direction of Dean Ball as well as with the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra. He studied string bass at the renowned Interlochen National Music Camp for two summers. While in high school, he played tenor saxophone with the high school band, the Charles Rogers dance band and the Taylorville Municipal Band. He performed throughout Europe one summer with the American Youth Band and Chorus under the direction of James H. Smith.

Although he had great promise in the field of music, he turned his attention to the study of history, politics and law as a young adult. He attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville where he earned his undergraduate degree. While there, he was a loyal member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He attended Southern Methodist University School of Law and earned his juris doctor degree in 1978. School and studies always came easily for Bob.

Following graduation at SMU, Bob returned to Taylorville where he assumed the position of managing editor at the Breeze-Courier, under the guidance of his father James Cooper, publisher. Bob was a talented writer and artful storyteller. He provided thoughtful and accurate, in-depth coverage of the municipal government and local schools. He ushered in great changes at the newspaper, including the introduction of the Sunday paper and the implementation of fully-paid health insurance for employees, among other changes. While at the helm of the paper, Bob also served in civic leadership positions with the Taylorville Chamber of Commerce alongside Helen Young and with the local chapter of the American Red Cross under Mary Hoover.

Bob retired after a twenty-year career at the newspaper and turned his attention to other passions: design, architectural restoration and historic preservation. He lovingly restored the iconic building at the corner of Main and Market streets along with two adjoining properties and turned these once-abandoned ruins into a landmark social destination, One East Market, a restaurant and jazz club which flourished for 15 years.

In retirement, Bobby loved nothing more than a good round of bridge. He enjoyed his home on Lincoln Trail and spent many hours in the spring tending to the grounds, particularly the ivy and periwinkle beds. He loved Taylorville history and the old guard and engaged in lengthy conversation with his mother “Billie” about such things. He enjoyed film noir, movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood and television classics from the days of Perry Mason and Peyton Place. He was an ardent fan of both National Public Radio and arguably the greatest composer of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven.

John Robert Cooper, named after his maternal grandfather John Quinn, was born in Taylorville on December 10, 1952, the third child of James and Wilda Cooper. He was preceded in death by his father on December 19, 1997; his sister, Sallie Traynor, on March 5, 2021; his mother on February 23, 2023, and his former brother-in-law, Mark Lasswell, on December 12, 2023. He is survived by his brother, Jim Cooper (Shirley); sister, Marylee Cooper (Ed Downs); brother-in-law, Lance Traynor; nephews, Andy Lasswell, Owen Lasswell (Jena) and Murray Cooper; nieces, Jemma Elliot and Nancy Brooks (Michael); great nephews, Dakota, William and Landyn Cooper; great nieces, Kaia Elliot, Lucille Brooks and June Brooks; cousins, Carole Fredrick, Toni VanSkike (the Rev. Tom), Mary Heilman (Rod), Corlin Ferguson (Alice); and several genuine and loyal childhood friends from Taylorville.

Services for Bob will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin St., Taylorville. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service, at 12 noon.

Bob’s family and Charlotte request that memorial donations be made to Fur Love, 122 W. Market St., Taylorville, the charitable resale shop designed to raise funds for the local proposed animal shelter expansion project.