Listen to the Memorial Service

- A note written by JJ, was read by the pastor at Cooper’s memorial service.

God gave us a precious gift February 24, 2004 at 11:27PM.  Samuel Cooper Jasper was born.  We were privileged to enjoy five years to know him, love him and be loved by him.  Psalms 127: 3, 5, says “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  Cooper was a blessing.  He brought us so much joy and was absolutely a gift from God.

Melanie and I wanted you to know a little more about our special little boy.  If there was ever such a thing as a perfect child it was Cooper.  Not to take anything away from our wonderful, precious daughters, but Cooper was very, very special.  He never gave us a minute’s trouble and was a perfect balance in almost every way as a son, a little brother, student and friend.  He was a remarkable boy in every way.  From early on, Melanie and I were convinced that he had a call from God on his life.  Certainly the Lord’s hand was on him.  His desire to obey and please the Lord would rival that of many adults.  Cooper had the discipline of a marine, an incredible sense of humor and he absolutely had a servant’s heart.  He lived life with so much zeal and energy.  He smiled constantly and brought joy to everyone he met.  He was so very kind, generous, helpful, grateful and thoughtful… to God be the glory.  Once again, he was practically a perfect child.

- Cooper’s first word was “backhoe”.

- At only 15-months-old he taught himself how to snap his fingers, and then taught his big sisters.  To this day our daughters can snap their fingers because someone who couldn’t even talk showed them how!  Imagine that!

- When Daddy was away on a trip, Cooper would proudly proclaim that he would be the man of the house!

- His best-friend was Aaron Mangum.

- He earned a yellow belt in Karate and played baseball.

- He loved to swing, swim and jump on the trampoline.  He enjoyed animals and loved to play with his toys.  He especially liked action super heroes.  He was artistic and very smart.  His greatest joy was the love he had for his parents, his sisters and his Lord, Jesus Christ.

- Almost daily, complete strangers would comment on how special he was…Cooper impacted many lives in so few years.

- Cooper was all boy.  Recently, he told his mother, “Momma, I think I like baseball better than Karate.”  Knowing how much he enjoyed Karate, Melanie asked him why.  Cooper said, “I like the way my cleats sound when I’m walking on the parking lot.”

We crammed a lot of life into only five years.  In his last week and a half on earth, he shot fireworks, went swimming, played with his dog, rode his bike, rode the Wave runner, flew in an airplane with his dad, was laughing, riding a dune buggy when the Lord called him home.  His last words were “Flame on!”  Something he would say to make Daddy go faster.

Thank you for your love, support and prayers for our family.  Certainly this is every parent’s worst nightmare.

Personally, I want to say I’m sorry.   Humanly speaking, I was responsible and take the blame for the accident because I was driving the dune buggy when it flipped.  Our faith and trust however, is in a loving, sovereign God who, according to His word has each of our days numbered.  There is an appointed time for each of us to die.  We are trusting the Lord to someway, somehow get glory from this terrible tragedy.

Thank you again for your love and continued prayers.  Thank you for helping us celebrate the life and home-going of Samuel Cooper Jasper.  We will miss him more than we can say, but we will see him again.  Right now at this very moment, his is in heaven with Jesus.

You may also send cards and letters to:

The Jasper’s have requested that any memorial contributions be made out to AFA:

A Celebration of Cooper’s life will be at 11 AM Monday, July 20, 2009 at the Hope Church on McCullough Boulevard in Tupelo with Pastor Rob Garland, Bro. Sam Shaw and Bro. Kevin Mangum officiating. Private burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 2PM-5PM Sunday and from 10 AM-service time on Monday all at Hope Church. Holland-Harris Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.

Survivors include his parents: J. J. and Melanie Jasper of Tupelo; his sisters: Lauren, Sadie and Maddie of the home. His grandparents: Alvah and Martha Jasper of Owensboro, KY., Kandi Anderson of Gulfport. His great grandparents: Lillian Doshier of Gulfport and Frank and Willene Anderson of Tampa, Fla. His aunts and uncles: Zach Anderson (Tiffany) of Tupelo, Kasie Ulmer (Jeremy) of Biloxi, Kelly Kothlow (Bruce) and Karen Dunlop (Gary) all of Owensboro, KY. and many wonderful cousins, extended family and friends and the AFA/AFR Radio family. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Lowry Anderson and an uncle, Michael Jasper.

Pallbearers will be Greg Johnson, Clay Cruse, Zach Anderson, Durick Hayden, Jeremy Ulmer, Randall Murphree and Paul Gatewood. Honorary pallbearer will be Kenny Kessinger. .

Condolences may be e mailed to holland-harrisfuneralhome@comcast.net.

Holland Funeral Directors
5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd.
Tupelo, MS. 38801
662 840 5000

Memorials may be made to American Family Association/American Family Radio, P. O. Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38803.

Condolences may be e mailed to holland-harrisfuneralhome@comcast.net.

Holland Fun

Visitation is Sunday, July 19 from 2pm to 5pm and Monday, July 20 from 10am to 11am at Hope Church, Tupelo MS. Funeral services are Monday, July 20 at 11am in the sanctuary of Hope Church, Tupelo, MS. Hope Church is located at:

Hope Church
2094 Mccullough Blvd
Tupelo, MS 38801-7108
(662) 844-8522

JJ and Melanie have requested donations be made to AFR in lieu of flowers.

American Family Radio
107 Park Gate Dr
Tupelo, MS 38801-3010
(662) 844-8888

Hannah Medical Center asked JJ to challenge the guest to support the Center and their efforts as a pregnacy center. Angie Wolfe, Executive Director said, “After counting and calculating, the total gifts and pledges increased this year even though we had less people attend! Overall, we were extremely blessed and grateful to have you in as our guest speaker. We had several people make comments to have you back! With that being said, we are currently getting ready for our next banquet in El Dorado and are interested in booking you for that banquet in September. Thanks again and we had a wonderful time at the banquet!”

There you have it! Why not call JJ if your organization needs a successful fundraiser ?

JJ is anxious to get back on location again so he can spend quality time with you, his faithful fans that love to laugh.  His new presentations are sure to “split your side” with tales of a ranch hand being over powered by a angry wide and untamed horse.  You may even get the inside scoop on his recovery in the hospital and all the humorous events that took place.  One thing is sure, you will hear how God did an amazing work within JJ and others through this whole event.

Don’t wait to book your event!  Popular dates will fill fast.  Just send us an email and request your date today.

booking@jjjasper.com

In case you haven’t heard what happened, on Labor Day afternoon I saddled up one of our horses to take a ride around our farm. Cheyenne, our mare, started to buck and go crazy. After the brief rodeo on one of the bucks the horn of the saddle drove my groin through my pelvis breaking it open. After several more bucks of blinding pain I dove off. When I hit the ground I broke five ribs, a shoulder blade, my tail bone and bruised a lung.

After surgery to repair the pelvis there was much concern about severe bladder damage, infection, swelling, etc. We were in the ICU for seven days but have stabilized. Through it all God has been faithful! We have seen his hand and felt his presence. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers,cards and e-mails. It has been humbling and amazing to experience so much love and to see the body of Christ in action. How do people go through set backs without family, friends or church family?

* Some immediate blessings we experienced:
Some precious friends provided temporary housing that is five minutes from the hospital and next door to our children’s school.

* Melanie’s mom, Kandi, moved in for two weeks to take care of our
four children and allow Mel to rarely leave my side.

* Bro. Don and and AFA/AFR staff have been here from the first critical hours of ICU and continue to rally around our family with incredible support.

* The care we are receiving from the NMMC doctors, nurses and medical staff has been second to none. Very professional and lots of TLC.

* Cards, e-mails, visits and expressions of love from around the country have offered much needed hope.

Doctors indicate approximately 30 more days of hospital stay, including intense rehab. My personal goal is to get out in time for sharathon. I feel like I’m letting the team down and would love to be there right now
everyday to be a cheerleader reminding folks of the importance of Christian radio. Please pray for our upcoming sharathon and please continue to pray for me and my family. We know that prayer is the difference maker. We love you and God bless you.

JJ Jasper

P. S. We have a Quarter horse for sale.