J. Donald Cooper Jr, 79, of St. Clairsville passed away on February 28,2020 at home.

He was born July 28, 1940, raised in Smithfield, Ohio, son of J. Donald Cooper Sr. and Virginia A (Koon) Cooper.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Kay (Brown) Cooper, his father and mother-in-law Frank and Helen (Justus) Brown, and his son, Daniel A. Cooper.

Don graduated from Smithfield High School and Mount Union College with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.  He was band director at Smithfield High School from 1961-1969 and St. Clairsville High School from 1969-1992.  He was a choir director at Thoburn United Methodist Church, St. James Lutheran Church and most recently with Bethesda United Methodist Church.  Don was a long-time member of the Ohio Music Educators Association and was honored for being an OMEA marching band, solo & ensemble, and contest band adjudicator for 40 years.  He was also a member of Brothers in Song and a theater enthusiast.

Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Beth & Martin Cline, 2 grandsons, Wyatt and Jackson Cline, sister Linda (Garth) Beany, nieces and nephews Tim (Debbie) Beany, Heather (Al) Allison, Craig (Debbie) Brown, Lisa (Mike) Paxton and several great nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville on Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m.  A private service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Clairsville High School Band, c/o Justin Schwertfeger, 102 Woodrow Ave, St. Clairsville, OH  43950.