Agriculture, specifically the seed industry, was blessed to have born witness to a man truly passionate about the business; John Cooper. But on Saturday, January 5, 2002, the industry also lost one of its most sincere and enthusiastic professionals. Cooper may have lost his battle with cancer, but many in the industry gained a great deal from working with and knowing him.

John’s agricultural career spanned a wide range of businesses. Cooper began his career in agriculture working for Rath Feed Company, Waterloo, Iowa, from 1966 to 1975 and then Deans Specialty Supply Company in Waseca, MN. From 1976 to 1978 he served as the vice president of sales for the Key Milling Company in Clay Center, Kansas. Then in 1978, he accepted a position with Pfizer Genetics as an area sales manager, calling on accounts in central Illinois. He then moved on to become specialty markets manager for DeKalb/Pfizer genetics in Mason City, IL and served in that position from 1982 until 1986.

John began his career with what would become part of Garst Seed Company in December of 1986 when he went to work for Super Crost Seeds as the manager of specialty markets and training director. John kept that title when ICI Seeds purchased Super Crost Seeds in 1990. He was next promoted to national accounts manager for ICI Seeds and kept that title when Garst Seed Company was reintroduced to the US seed industry in 1996. Finally, John became Region Sales Manager for Garst, directing the company’s rapidly growing Atlantic sales region.

John Walter Cooper was born October 24, 1939 in Marshalltown, Iowa and was raised in Montour, Iowa, the son of John Martin and Evelyn Sanders Cooper. John graduated from Marshalltown Community College and began his career in agriculture, eventually living and working in Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas before starting his seed industry career with Pfizer Seeds in Mason City, Illinois.

John and wife Judy (Hennesy) celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary on July 7^th, 2001 with a surprise gathering hosted by their children.

He was an active member of the Assembly of God Church in Mason City where he served on the Official Board since 1987. John was a long-time leader of the church’s men’s ministries and directed numerous church productions and events over the years.

In agriculture, John was an active member in the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and numerous other groups and associations.

John is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters Ann of Mason City, IL and Erin of Shakopee, MN and son Jarret of San Francisco, CA. Also surviving are sisters Winfred Morgan, Hot Spring, AR and Chloe Ann Hill, Tama, IA. John was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Tom Cooper of Mountain Home, Arkansas.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, January 12 at the Mason City (Illinois) Assembly of God Church with 10 AM visitation and the celebration service following. Rev. James Sprinkel and Rev. Jason Sprinkel will officiate. Burial will be at the Mason City Cemetery with Hurley Funeral Home in charge of services.

Memorials may be made to the Mason City Assembly of God Building Fund, P.O. Box 151, Mason City, IL 62664.

"Those of us who have spent our careers in agriculture truly know just how unique people like John Cooper are. His passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of agriculture earned him a great deal of respect across a wide range of customers and groups. His positive outlook on building solid relationships, business and personal, and his zest for life was truly an inspiration to all of us at Garst. God Bless John Cooper and God bless his family." – David Witherspoon, President, Garst Seed Company.

"John was an inspiration for all of us through his commitment to agriculture and positive attitude. As a member of the Garst sales management team, John was instrumental in shaping the direction and success of our company. He always challenged us to maximize the benefits to our customers. John's funeral is being called a 'Celebration of Life'. I think everyone who had the opportunity to work with John knows just how fitting this celebration is. Coop, as we called him, loved God, loved his family, and loved life. Coop is a hero to us." – Steve Klein, Director of Sales and Marketing, Garst Seed Company.

"John Cooper had a significant impact on the marketing efforts of Garst Seed Company, specifically in his work with the Farm Management community. These professionals are important to the success of Garst Seed Company and John was instrumental in building awareness of the benefits of our products and services with these folks. His presence will be missed." – Lori Thomas, Marketing Manager, Garst Seed Company

"We are all better human beings for knowing John Cooper. On a scale of 1 to 10 of professionalism, courtesy and just being a good guy, Coop was as close to a 10 as I’ve ever known. He loved life and lived it to it’s fullest. He fought a good fight. His body may have lost this last battle, but his spirit still prevails." Mike Smidt, National Sales Manager, Garst Seed Company.

"John Cooper was a "teacher" of life. In the midst of his pain and sickness, he found it in his heart to spread encouragement and compassion to others around him without feeling sorry for himself. If you believe in the life beyond - you know that John Cooper was a deciple. God Bless him and his family." – Lyle Troester, Regional Sales Manager, Garst Seed Company, Illinois Division.

"John always openly shared his love for God, family, country and Garst. His upbeat, caring attitude was contagious. He had a special way of communication. His spirit will be missed by all of the people he came in contact with." – Eugene Suter, Business Development Manager, Garst Seed Company.

"Working with John at various events, I was always amazed by the two groups of people: those that knew and respected John, and those who hadn’t met him yet. He was an excellent "ambassador" for life, love of God, agriculture and our "family" here at Garst. His person will be missed, but we all will feel his spirit for a very long time." – Jeff Lacina, Public Relations Manager, Garst Seed Company.

"Coop’s enthusiasm for agriculture and doing ‘right’ by our customers was unmatched by anyone I’ve ever worked with in this industry. He would take our message, programs and technologies to the market with unrivaled and infectious enthusiasm. To Coop, 150 percent was the norm. His honesty, sincerity and personality opened many a door for Garst. He exemplified everything you’d ever want in a friend, partner and business associate." – Dan Burdett, Business Unit Manager, Eden Bioscience, Seattle, Washington and former Garst National Sales Manager (1993 – 2001)

"Many knew John only as "The Garst Guy", but to me, he was so much more. John treated everyone as someone special. His kind words and words of encouragement will be missed greatly. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him. He taught me so much... about both the seed business and life. He always reminded me, regardless of how busy I was, about the truly important things in life. And today I’m a better man for it." – Dervin Druist, District Sales Manager, Garst Seed Company, Spring Run, PA.