COOPER, John F., 77, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2009, in Tampa. Born and raised in Laurel, Miss., "Coop" embarked on his worldwide adventure with the U.S. Air Force serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, earning professional accolades including the Bronze Star, and finally returning to the Tampa Bay area as a retired chief master sergeant. He also excelled at his second career with the Hillsborough County School Board. He was a member of the Wesley Memorial United Methodist and Egypt Temple Shrine, and had been a Tampa resident since 1976. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, James Dean Cooper. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lillian Kathryne Cooper; her brother, Robert "Tony" Murphy and wife, Shirley, of Oklahoma; daughter, Linda Buttitta and husband, Louis; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Cooper; and grandchildren, Jonathon J. Cooper and Kyndra L. Cooper of Plano, Texas; grandsons, Noel Anthony Vadnais, Sean Christopher Vadnais and wife, Kimberly; great-grandchildren, Cameron Vadnais, Kathryn Vadnais and Kelsey Vadnais; and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a visitation 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Oldsmar West Chapel, 6802 Silvermill Dr., Tampa. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 14, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist, 6100 Memorial Highway, Tampa, FL 33615. Please sign the online guest book at blountcurrywest.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wesley Memorial or Melech Hospice House.