1955
John
2024
John Cooner
December 20, 1955 — April 12, 2024
John Carl Cooner, age 68, passed away at his home on the morning of Friday, April 12
th
, 2024. He spent his last days surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.
Mr. Cooner was born on December 20 th , 1955 in Brownsville, TX to the late Carl E. Cooner and Marian G. Weeks.
As a child, John began to display his trademark personality that he would be known for throughout his life. Most notably, John had a charisma and sense of humor that allowed him to make a friend with the people he met as his family moved during his youth. His childhood homes include Texas, Florida, and the US Virgin Islands. When he returned to Georgia during his teenage years, Kingsland became his permanent home.
John possessed a gift for music and he became a talented organist as young boy. He played a variety of styles including blues, country, and Latin jazz – his musical interests were a mirror of his love for people from many different cultures. In addition to his musical pursuits, John’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, horseback riding and an overall love for the outdoors. He frequently shared stories of hunting and horseback riding adventures from his youth with others who knew him.
John graduated from Camden County High School in 1974, and after graduating, he began his career at Gilman Paper Company. He learned the trade of mechanical millright and logged countless hours repairing the factory equipment at the former papermill site in St. Marys, GA. In addition to his work contributions, he developed deep friendships with the people who worked along his side. He had a sharp mind and co-workers will remember with clever phrases which he frequently used to lift people’s spirits.
John and Molla Boodhan were married in Kingsland, GA on August 12, 1978 at their current home. There, the couple raised two children, and John remained a committed provider to his family. At home, John loved to be with his children. He spent many summer days in the swimming in the pool with his children. At dinnertime, he had an endless supply of jokes to share around the table. He was a patient father to both kids, and the parents opened their home to their children’s friends and extended family as the years passed by.
When away from home, the family made frequent trips to the North Georgia mountains and visits to the Caribbean. John shared his same witty humor and his love for wild places while on these adventures with his family.
In 2009, John began working with the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA). He continued his career in mechanical/electrical maintenance for another 14 years. He adapted his skills from the papermill industry to excel in repairing and maintaining the Northside Generating Power Plant. He shared his warm personality and his mechanical knowledge with those who worked with him at JEA. Many co-workers will remember his stories and how proud he was of his children.
In 2022, doctors diagnosed John with lymphoma and they discovered a tumor in his abdomen. He relentlessly battled cancer for the next two years, and intermittently continued working at JEA, when his health allowed. He officially retired in early 2024, just months before his suffering ended and his journey on earth concluded.
Mr. Cooner is survived by his wife, Molla Cooner of Kingsland, GA; his daughter, Indra (Kevin) Hendricks, of Greenville, SC; his son, Justin (Patsy) Cooner of Stanardsville, VA; and his sister, Carol Rushing of St. Marys, GA. The surviving family includes his four (4) grandchildren, William Hendricks, Cassandra Hendricks, Abigail Cooner, Bernard Cooner; and numerous nieces and nephews who remember him as “Uncle Johnny.”
A visitation will begin at 12:30 pm Tuesday, April 16 th , 2024 at Kingsland First Baptist Church in Kingsland, GA. Services will follow at 2 pm at the church with Pastor Brian Parker presiding. Interment will be at Brazell-Peeples Cemetery in Kingsland, GA. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of JEA and previous co-workers from Gilman Paper Company.
Mr. Cooner was born on December 20 th , 1955 in Brownsville, TX to the late Carl E. Cooner and Marian G. Weeks.
As a child, John began to display his trademark personality that he would be known for throughout his life. Most notably, John had a charisma and sense of humor that allowed him to make a friend with the people he met as his family moved during his youth. His childhood homes include Texas, Florida, and the US Virgin Islands. When he returned to Georgia during his teenage years, Kingsland became his permanent home.
John possessed a gift for music and he became a talented organist as young boy. He played a variety of styles including blues, country, and Latin jazz – his musical interests were a mirror of his love for people from many different cultures. In addition to his musical pursuits, John’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, horseback riding and an overall love for the outdoors. He frequently shared stories of hunting and horseback riding adventures from his youth with others who knew him.
John graduated from Camden County High School in 1974, and after graduating, he began his career at Gilman Paper Company. He learned the trade of mechanical millright and logged countless hours repairing the factory equipment at the former papermill site in St. Marys, GA. In addition to his work contributions, he developed deep friendships with the people who worked along his side. He had a sharp mind and co-workers will remember with clever phrases which he frequently used to lift people’s spirits.
John and Molla Boodhan were married in Kingsland, GA on August 12, 1978 at their current home. There, the couple raised two children, and John remained a committed provider to his family. At home, John loved to be with his children. He spent many summer days in the swimming in the pool with his children. At dinnertime, he had an endless supply of jokes to share around the table. He was a patient father to both kids, and the parents opened their home to their children’s friends and extended family as the years passed by.
When away from home, the family made frequent trips to the North Georgia mountains and visits to the Caribbean. John shared his same witty humor and his love for wild places while on these adventures with his family.
In 2009, John began working with the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA). He continued his career in mechanical/electrical maintenance for another 14 years. He adapted his skills from the papermill industry to excel in repairing and maintaining the Northside Generating Power Plant. He shared his warm personality and his mechanical knowledge with those who worked with him at JEA. Many co-workers will remember his stories and how proud he was of his children.
In 2022, doctors diagnosed John with lymphoma and they discovered a tumor in his abdomen. He relentlessly battled cancer for the next two years, and intermittently continued working at JEA, when his health allowed. He officially retired in early 2024, just months before his suffering ended and his journey on earth concluded.
Mr. Cooner is survived by his wife, Molla Cooner of Kingsland, GA; his daughter, Indra (Kevin) Hendricks, of Greenville, SC; his son, Justin (Patsy) Cooner of Stanardsville, VA; and his sister, Carol Rushing of St. Marys, GA. The surviving family includes his four (4) grandchildren, William Hendricks, Cassandra Hendricks, Abigail Cooner, Bernard Cooner; and numerous nieces and nephews who remember him as “Uncle Johnny.”
A visitation will begin at 12:30 pm Tuesday, April 16 th , 2024 at Kingsland First Baptist Church in Kingsland, GA. Services will follow at 2 pm at the church with Pastor Brian Parker presiding. Interment will be at Brazell-Peeples Cemetery in Kingsland, GA. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of JEA and previous co-workers from Gilman Paper Company.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Cooner, please visit our flower store.
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