John Coop Has Passed Away

Bob Muller · Post by **Bob Muller** » 19 Aug 2011 3:28 pm

JOHN has passed away as of August 18. I'm not sure of many of the details, I've only spoken briefly with a family member. I would like to remember John for all the good work he has done, and for the help he has given us through the years.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 19 Aug 2011 3:42 pm

That's sad.....For all his eccentricities, I always enjoyed talking to John.

He sold me a slew of killer upgrade parts for my pot-metal Pro II, which vastly improved the guitar. I know some have trashed him recently, but he always did right by me!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 19 Aug 2011 4:14 pm

I never met John, but I bought Sho-Bud parts from him over the years. He did good work. A shame to see him go.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 19 Aug 2011 4:20 pm

Oh my! I used to talk to Coop at least once a week. Eccentric? No doubt. I am deeply saddened by this news. This last year or so was Hell for him. Lost his Mother, cancer, and a broken hip? What suffering to go through. Rest in piece John!

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 19 Aug 2011 5:19 pm

This is truly sad news. John has gone through alot of very tough times this last year, and before. Here's a couple of my favorite memories of John, when things were much better. R.I.P. my friend.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 19 Aug 2011 6:26 pm

Sorry to hear about John's passing. He did alot of good work, keeping those old Buds alive and well.
He had some really hard times in the past year, and I pray that he's at peace now.
Vaya con Dios, John.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 20 Aug 2011 7:08 am

So sorry to hear of John's passing. He had a genuine love for the Sho-Bud guitar and a desire to pass that love on to others. May brother John rest in peace.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 20 Aug 2011 9:41 am

Yes a Huge loss of a great historian to Sho~bud. Also a loss of someone with a massive knowledge on the workings of a pedal steel guitar(good thing he passed some of that on to me and James Morehead).
My heart is very heavy; and rest in peace my good friend and shake Shot Jackson's hand for me.
Ricky

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 21 Aug 2011 7:24 pm

Another thread for John.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=210464

Does anyone know of the funeral arrangements or how to contact family?

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 22 Aug 2011 2:35 am

Very sad to hear this news. Rest in peace.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 22 Aug 2011 9:45 am

I've always held onto one of his address labels as a momento.

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 23 Aug 2011 10:33 am

He loved the pedal steel and the Sho-Bud most of all. He took the one I bought and turned it into a easy to play beauty. I know he had a very difficult period the last year or so. His health became poor and his affairs were affected by it. His heart was in the right place. May he rest in peace.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 23 Aug 2011 12:06 pm

Very sad news indeed. John and I spoke many times, never less than 3 hours at a time...the man was generous to me. We talked at some pretty dark times for him, his faith was important to him, he expressed it a lot. My prayers go to his family and friends. Peace, at last, for a good man.

Jay Kardong · Post by **Jay Kardong** » 23 Aug 2011 3:33 pm

Very sad to hear. I spoke with John several times, usually an hour on pedal steel, and another hour on our elected officials. He did a heck of a job on my LDG, he will be missed.

Tommy Minniear · Post by **Tommy Minniear** » 24 Aug 2011 7:56 am

I makes me a sad to learn of John's passing. Although, we didn't live far apart and talked over the phone, we only met and had coffee a few times. He did love Sho~Buds as much or more than anybody and did his best to improve and keep that legacy going!

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 25 Aug 2011 6:15 pm

I got to know Coop through my good friend James Morehead. We first met in '06 at St. Louis. Like many others, we bonded over the 'Buds. During the '07 Dallas convention we drank like sailors and listened to Buddy Charleton on bust in his car on liquor store runs. He was very passionate about the golden age of Sho~Bud....maybe a bit too idealistic about it, but that's not always a bad thing. We talked late into the night about TONE. It was his main concern. He told me the same story about a hundred times of him refurbishing Ralph Mooney's 'Bud and all the high-jinx surrounding its transportation. We watched Ernest Tubb DVD's in his hotel room, studying Charleton's tone on the permanent. All fond memories. Like many others, our friendship was eventually marred by business. Nevertheless, in death we must all equalize our emotions and put aside issues of this world. Whatever turmoil he faced in his last years is not a burden for him anymore.

Dallas '07. From left to right: Lynn Owsley, Red Kilby, James Morehead, John Coop, Skip Edwards. Me in front, at James' "Cooped" Professional. Coop's shirt says it all about his passion for lacquer 'Buds.

Bob Case · Post by **Bob Case** » 29 Aug 2011 5:19 am

Although we had our difficulties, I realize that health issues as severe as John's would affect anyone's business. My condolences to the family.
Rest in peace John.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 29 Aug 2011 7:21 am

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=210464