James Leonard Cooper, loved basketball

James Leonard Cooper, 58, of Wilmington, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Christiana Hospital.

James was born in Milford, the son of the late Ida C. Cooper and James Griffin. James attended Milford Senior High School and graduated in 1977. After graduation, he enlisted in the military and was stationed in California. When he returned to Delaware he relocated to Wilmington. There he worked most of his life as a Sears warehouse manager. Jimmy always loved to play basketball. His positions were point guard and forward. Early in life he suffered a leg injury that eventually led to him becoming disabled. This didn't break Jimmy's spirits. He liked to have fun and got along with everybody. He was the type of person to bring your spirits up if you were down.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ida C. Cooper and James Griffin, a wife Linda Cooper, and a grandson Greg Smith. He leaves to mourn two daughters, Tameka Smith of Ellendale and Shakira Cooper of Greenwood; one grandson Jarrell Smith of Ellendale; two brothers, Larry (Tysha) Cooper of Philadelphia, Pa., and Lavon (Janell) Cooper of Bridgeville;, two sisters Patricia (Andrew) McCaleb of Bakersfield, Calif., and Coretta M. Cuffee and her husband Jullion of Dagsboro; a special friend, Jennifer Jones of Wilmington; and a host, of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services are pending.