James J. Cooper, 71, of Leola, PA, met Jesus face-to-face on Thursday morning, September 10, 2026 while a guest at the Bob Fryer and Family Inpatient Center of Hospice and Community Care in Mount Joy. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Irving, North Ayeshire, Scotland, he was the son of the late James and Mary W. Finleyson Cooper. He was the companion of the late Betty Ann M. Zechman Taylor for more than 30 years.

Jim recently professed his faith in Jesus Christ and became a new creation. Upon his conversion, he experienced the spiritual attributes of joy and peace in a way which he had never had.

In Scotland, he served as a Navy Sea Cadet and completed a course in heavy equipment operation and maintenance. Jim was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Alan Myers and H&K Group in Skippack. In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing, swimming, and playing soccer. He was also a former member of the Eagles Club in Stroudsburg.

Jim never had children, but accepted Betty’s family as his own. He had a special relationship with his caregiver and stepdaughter, Lori Stoltzfus and her husband Phil of Brownstown. He is also survived by three siblings, Margaret “Peggy”, wife of Bill Clark, of Annbank, Scotland, Jonnie, husband of Linda Cooper, of Kilmarnock, Scotland, and Norman, husband of Elizabeth Cooper, of Galston, Scotland; and a brother-in-law, Charles Lapham of Kilmarnock, Scotland. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Lapham.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Friday morning, September 18, 2026 at 11:00 PM at Victory Church, 1827 Freedom Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. There will be no viewing. Interment will be private. If desired, contributions may be made in his memory to the general fund of Victory Church or to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. To express a condolence or to watch a livestream of the service, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.