DR. JACK SEWELL COOPER

Dr. Jack Sewell Cooper, 85, of Miami, Florida went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 31, at Baptist Hospital in Miami, Florida. He was born on January 26, 1939, the son of Jack Ellis and Mary Ruth Cooper. His first marriage was to Brenda Nadelen Meyer. He later married Debbie Erwin in Miami on September 30, 2014. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church .

Left to cherish his memories are his wife Debbie, his son Mark (Patricia) of Tallahassee, Fl., granddaughter Kaylynn Lee Cooper of Orlando, Fl, sister Doni Cooper Duckett of Danville, Il., brother Sid Pat Cooper of Big Stone Gap, Va., along with several cherished nieces and nephews and their families.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, his grandmother, Doni Sewell, and three brothers, Joe Cooper, Ben Cooper, and Tom Cooper.

Jack graduated from Appalachia High School in 1957. He earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1965, and completed an internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fl. For four years, he served as a flight surgeon in the United States Navy Corps. He then completed a residency in orthopedics and rehabilitation at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and served as a clinical assistant professor. He was certified in Orthopedic Surgery and the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He held numerous leadership roles including president of the medical staff, and chief medical officer at the Doctor’s Hospital in Miami, Fl.

Jack was a very wise, kind, and generous person who helped many along life’s path. Family was extremely important to him. He made sure his mother, father, son, granddaughter, and siblings were well cared for. His yearly trips to Appalachia were always planned so he would be home for his mother’s birthday and especially for Christmas. When he was home, many delicious meals, desserts, and crafts were made and shared with friends and neighbors.

In Jack’s spare time, he was a skilled woodworker and enjoyed photography. During his earlier years, he spent time on his boat, diving, deep sea fishing, and swimming. Jack loved and followed the Miami Dolphins, and was a season ticket holder which allowed him to follow his team.

Jack was very close to his grandmother, Doni Sewell, and even at the young age of 5 would walk around and tell customers at the Appalachia Hardware Co. that he wanted to be a doctor when he grew up. Jack was diagnosed with polio when he was in high school which reinforced his desire to become a doctor. He guided his family and patients through broken bones, replaced knees and joints, shoulder injuries, and surgeries.

Jack took a big chunk of our hearts with him, but he left us with the comfort of his love, many cherished memories, and outstanding legacy. What a blessing he was to all of us.

Visitation will be at the Appalachia First Baptist Church, Appalachia, Va from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. Funeral services will be conducted by Dr. Nick Brewer Immediately following the visitation Burial will follow at Glencoe Cemetery, Big Stone Gap, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

University of Va Medical Foundation

Orthopedic Surgery

P.O. Box 37963

Boone, Iowa 50037

Roy A. Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Dr. Jack Sewell Cooper.