9/26/2006 4:00:00 AM
Cooper, firearms expert, dead at 86
Instrumental in firearms training to thousands
| |
|
World-renowned firearms expert Jeff Cooper, founder of the Gunsite firearms training center in Paulden, died Monday afternoon at his home near the training center.
Cooper, 86, had been battling several health problems in recent years.
The family plans a private burial ceremony and will announce a memorial ceremony at the National Rifle Association Whittington Center in New Mexico in the near future.
Cooper had been a member of the NRA Board of Directors.
Born on May 20, 1920, in Los Angeles, as John Dean Cooper, Cooper who always went by "Jeff," earned a master's degree in history and taught history.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II as well as in Southeast Asia and Korea.
In the 1960s, he organized a group called the Bear Valley Gunslingers and the Southwest Combat League. During the organizations' shooting competitions at Big Bear, he formulated the Modern Technique of combat handgun shooting which incorporates a large-caliber semi-automatic pistol, a two handed Weaver stance, breath control and a surprise trigger break.
In 1976, he founded the American Pistol Institute, or Gunsite, at Paulden to teach those pistol techniques and later added a full curriculum on pistols, rifles and shotguns.
Since then, more than 18,000 students, including celebrities like Tom Selleck, law enforcement officers, military members from many nations and many civilians have graduated from courses there.
Cooper sold the operation in 1992 and dissociated himself from the new owners but continued to live on the land in a home he called The Sconce. He became involved with the center again in 1999 when it changed ownership.
He was a frequent sight on the grounds clad in green military fatigues and riding around the sprawling property on a three-wheeled all-terrain vehicle.
Known in firearms circles as "The Gunner's Guru," Cooper taught about firearms in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, South Africa and Rhodesia. Many have called him the world's foremost expert on small arms (rifles, pistols and shotguns).
He was editor at large of Guns & Ammo Magazine and a prolific writer on firearms.
His books include "The Art of the Rifle," "Another Country," Sports Car Annual," "Fireworks," "To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth," "C Stories" and "Gunsite Gossip," Volumes I and II as well as the many articles he wrote for Guns & Ammo Magazine.
He also produced "Cooper's Commentaries," a series of monthly essays on the Internet.
In his writings, Cooper coined the term "hoplophobia" to denote the irrational fear of weapons.
He hunted big game all over the world and especially loved Africa. He also was an avid sports car enthusiast.
Cooper received the American Handgunner Award in 1995 and the St. Gabriel Possenti Award. St. Gabriel is the patron saint of shooters.
Surviving are his widow, Janelle Cooper; three daughters, Christy, Mrs. Chick Hastings of Prescott, Parry, Mrs. Bruce Health of Denver, Colo., and Lindy, Mrs. Joe Wisdom of Tempe, as well as five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
|
Posted: Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Article comment by:
C. K. Rand
As much as I learned from anyone, it was Mr. Cooper, he taught me, just as Frank Barnes taught me; I was lucky to have been around with such men. I will miss him; I liked him very much! dfg758
Posted: Monday, May 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Old Eagle
I am honored to be one of the great trainer Mr. Cooper's students, although I am not American citizen.
He was such an amazing instructor who left a great history of professionalism and perfection. he will be certainly missed, may God bless his soul.
Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Ben F.
I was honored to have been one of Colonel Cooper's students at Gunsite. He leaves a tremendous legacy and will be missed.
Posted: Friday, May 30, 2008
Article comment by:
survivalist455
I hold my copy of To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the truth almost as close as my Bible. God Bless you Colonel, Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas, Amen.
Posted: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Article comment by:
dont matter
I always enjoyed reading the Colonel's commentary in gun mags. I wish that someone would post an accurate obit on www.findagrave.com.
I wouldn't want to mess it up.
~~A~~
Posted: Saturday, February 23, 2008
Article comment by:
George Littlejohn
I had spent some 30 years hoping to one day meet one of the very few people that I can honestly say that I admired. Alas, it was not to be. I was very fortunate that The Colonel did respend to several of my letters over the years, and I shared a few phone conversations with him. Mrs. Cooper is a pure joy to speak with, to say the least.
I was deeply saddened at The Colonels passing. But I am also aware that in his twilight years, The Colonel did experience much in the way of physical pain. And I grateful that he no longer suffers. It is my hope and prayer that he rests in peace in God's loving arms. He is of the caliber that made our country great, and my generation has seen vert few like him. We owe his like more than we will ever know. May Almight God comfort his family until their joyous reunion in Heaven.
Posted: Sunday, October 15, 2006
Article comment by:
Nancy Herrington
Gonna miss you , Jeff!
God Bless and RIP!
Thanks for all you have done!
Posted: Friday, September 29, 2006
Article comment by:
Mehul Kamdar
Col. Cooper was a great man. I cannot think of another gunwriter who was as knowledgeable not just about guns and their use but also about history, current affairs and politics. And he could put his thoughts into words with a fine wit, giving everyone who read his work reason to think. No, there won't be anyone else like him. The world has lost a great man indeed!
Posted: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Article comment by:
Mark Jefferson
Col. Cooper was a great man of the "Old School," an example of a true warrior and gentleman. Col. Cooper was an aristocrat in the finest sense of the term, who understood that it is NOT the common, but rather the extraordinary, that should be encouraged and emulated. I never had the privilege of meeting Col. Cooper. However, his writings were profoundly influential in my life, and I shall be forever in his debt. May God bless Col. Cooper's family and grant him Eternal Rest!
Posted: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Article comment by:
joseph mitchell
Gonna really miss knowing that he is there somewhere thinking about how to keep folk alive. My students learned to keep themselves and others alive through his instruction.
Posted: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Article comment by:
Walter White
The gates of Heaven will be safer with the Colonel standing guard.
Posted: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Article comment by:
Woodrow Wilson
January-2001 Coopers Corner last article G/A mag., I'll keep it forever. R I P. You'll be missed by many brother. God watch over the family in their time of need.
Posted: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Article comment by:
Sean Ide
Col. Copper will be greatly missed by those that new him and those, like me, who only ever met him through his writing. The world is a poorer place with his passing but a richer one for having had him in it.
Posted: Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Article comment by:
Peter McMullen
"He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one;
Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading; Lofty and sour to them that loved him not, But to those men that sought him sweet as summer."
Posted: Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Article comment by:
Roy C. Gutfinski
It is sad to hear of Jeff's passing. But we can be grateful for his life and wisdom shared with us. Jeff was one of the last of the "old school" of gun writers with the stature of those like Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, Bill Jordan, and others. Jeff told it like it was...no bull and no politically correct nonsense. Rest in peace, Jeff, and may the Lord keep you close always.
|
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
