Cooper Jay Johnson, age 19, beloved son, brother, grandson and friend to so many, passed away from an unexpected medical event on Sunday, June 29th.

SPENCER JONES: Hamline University Head Tennis Coach

"Cooper Johnson was a transcendent performer on the court and in the classroom. He was a personification of everything it means to be a Hamline Piper. He will never be forgotten."

ALEX FOCKE: Hamline University Assistant Vice President / Athletic Director

"It is incredibly tragic and so very sad. Our hearts are with Cooper's family, friends, the tennis program, and Spencer during this incredibly challenging time. Cooper excelled as a student, an athlete, and loved being a Hamline Piper."

OBITUARY (Courtesy of the Argus Leader)

A celebration of Cooper's extraordinary life will be held Tuesday, July 8th at 4pm with remarks at 5 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room at First United Methodist Church, 401 S. Spring Ave, Sioux Falls, SD.

Cooper was born November 22nd, 2005, in Sioux Falls, SD to Jana and Brendan Johnson, joining his three older siblings who adored him: Tru, Penn, and Sutton. From a very young age, Cooper always marched to the beat of his own drum. He was fiercely loving, a voracious reader, knew more about American history than most of his professors, had a stubborn streak that never wavered, was a master pickle ball player, and was whip smart with a mouth to prove it. He loved terrible TV shows like The Rookie which he watched religiously. He had just gotten back from the trip of a lifetime to Japan with his close friend and teammate Tyler, and we are so grateful he was able to spend time with his Uncle Jay who lives there. He loved the Green Bay Packers, arguing endlessly with his father, "who didn't know ball". Cooper and his father were best friends who shared a similar personality and spent their evenings in side-by-side chairs talking about everything from politics to sports. His mother was Cooper's biggest fan and loved nothing more than doting on her youngest child. This included running dinners and homemade cinnamon rolls from Sioux Falls to his college house in St. Paul. He loved being home this summer where he could request his favorite meals every night and have his mom do his laundry. The bond with his siblings was one of constant teasing, bickering, backyard pickle-ball battles, travel all over the world, and unconditional love. He and Sutton spent hours building Legos and playing with trains when they were little. He loved watching sports and going to Vikings games with Penn, and he teased Tru endlessly about everything and called her Sis. He was so excited to become an uncle this winter.

Cooper began playing tennis in middle school and was initially ranked #27 on a team of 28. His tennis career took a turn during the pandemic when he was able to receive countless hours of one-on-one coaching with Darin Rima while the world shut down. Due to the thousands of hours of practice over years and being part of the O'Gorman tennis team under Don and Katie Barnes, Cooper began climbing up the ranks, and by his senior year, he played #2 for O'Gorman and was named to the All-State Tennis Team. He was recruited to play tennis at Hamline University in St. Paul by Spencer Jones and Randy Crowell and had just finished his freshman year. He was named to the MIAC All-Conference team this spring, the first student from Hamline University to ever achieve this as a freshman. His parents drove to Minnesota for every match, sometimes having to counsel him about the level of his "competitive fire" during the matches. He was full of hope and determination for the remainder of his college career. The completely amazing friends he made in college as well as his core group from high school meant the world to him, and he loved them with all his heart. A special thank you to all of them for checking on our family, coming to our home to comfort us, and sharing your pictures, videos, and stories with us, many of which we had never heard.

Cooper's greatest joy and his greatest love was his family. Expressions of love are not common for many teenage boys, but Cooper and his parents said "I Love You" every single day, and he would always run to us in the stands and yell out "I Love You" in front of the entire tennis team after a match. He was a devoted grandchild who went out of his way to communicate with his grandmothers and involve them in his life. He was still struggling with the loss of his beloved grandfather Jim, who died two years ago and was Cooper's biggest tennis fan and then the recent loss of his grandfather Tim whom he looked up to and admired so much. Cooper always knew that he was treasured. He was full of life and genuine happiness. He was looking forward to every amazing thing his future was going to bring. He lived and loved loudly and passionately. This loss will be felt by us forever.

He is survived by his parents who adored him beyond words, Brendan and Dr. Jana Johnson, his treasured siblings, Penn, Sutton, and Tru and husband Henok Bekele, his Uncle Jay Beddow and wife Itsuko, his Uncle Brooks Johnson and wife Naida and cousins Arijus and Aureja, and his Aunt Kelsey Billion and husband Tim and cousins Jay and Tom, his maternal grandmother, Jean Beddow, and his paternal grandmother Barbara Johnson. He was preceded in death by his amazing grandfathers, Dr. Jim Beddow and Senator Tim Johnson.

Please hold us, and Cooper, in your hearts. We love you Cooper Jay, you were truly one in a million.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to the Cooper Johnson / Jim Beddow O'Gorman Memorial Tennis College Scholarship, awarded each year to an O'Gorman male and female senior tennis player. The scholarship was founded two years ago when Cooper lost his grandfather Jim to honor their unbreakable bond and shared love of tennis. Now it will also honor our beautiful boy.

Donate online: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E347507&id=7

Or mail to: O'Gorman Foundation, 3100 W. 41st St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105