Linda Kay Cooper was an American educator and the first wife of football coach Jimmy Johnson. She lived outside the public spotlight. Her work, family, and travels shaped her own story.
Linda was born in Marked Tree, Arkansas, in 1942. She later raised two sons and taught in schools around the world. She died in Fayetteville in 2003.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Linda Kay Cooper |
| Known for | First wife of Jimmy Johnson |
| Date of birth | January 17, 1942 |
| Birthplace | Marked Tree, Arkansas, United States |
| Date of death | October 6, 2003 |
| Age at death | 61 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Teacher and retired educator |
| Parents | Reginald Taft Cooper and Martha Virginia Dixon Cooper |
| Siblings | JoAnn Moody and Teddy Neal Cooper |
| First husband | Jimmy Johnson |
| Marriage date | July 12, 1963 |
| Divorce date | January 1990 |
| Children | W. Brent Johnson and Chad J. Johnson |
| Later husband | Roger Kent Aronson |
| Estimated net worth | About $100,000 to $200,000, not officially confirmed |
Who Was Linda Kay Cooper
Linda Kay Cooper became known through her long marriage to Jimmy Johnson. He later gained fame in college football and the NFL. She did not seek a public career.
Her obituary described her as a retired educator. It also showed that family remained central during her later years. Her sons and husband survived her.
Linda’s public record is small but meaningful. It presents a teacher, mother, traveler, and private citizen. Her story deserves more than one famous connection.
Linda Kay Cooper Early Life and Family
Linda was born on January 17, 1942. Her hometown was Marked Tree, Arkansas. She grew up in a family with Arkansas roots.
Her father was Reginald Taft Cooper. Her mother was Martha Virginia Dixon Cooper. Both parents died before Linda.
Linda had a sister named JoAnn Moody. She also had a brother named Teddy Neal Cooper. JoAnn died before Linda, while Teddy survived her.
These family names appear in Linda’s obituary. The record gives a clear view of her closest relatives. It shares few details about her childhood.
Linda Kay Cooper Education and Teaching Career
Public memorial comments place Linda at the University of Arkansas during the early 1960s. One friend remembered attending the university with her. Full degree details remain private.
Linda later built a career in education. Her obituary called her a retired educator. It said she taught in schools across the world.
Memorial messages also connect her teaching life with Venezuela. These notes support reports that she worked outside the United States. Exact schools and dates remain unavailable.
Her career showed an interest in learning and travel. Teaching abroad placed her in different cultures. That work formed a major part of her identity.
Linda Kay Cooper and Jimmy Johnson Marriage
Linda married Jimmy Johnson on July 12, 1963. They were both young adults at the time. Their marriage began before his national football fame.
Jimmy played college football at the University of Arkansas. He later became a coach at several schools. His work required frequent moves and long hours.
The couple remained married for about twenty six years. During that time, Johnson rose through college football. He joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1989.
Their marriage ended in January 1990. Several biographical records list January 17 as the final date. Contemporary reporting described the separation as public and difficult.
Linda Kay Cooper Children and Family Life
Linda and Jimmy had two sons. Their names are W. Brent Johnson and Chad J. Johnson. Both were listed in Linda’s obituary.
Family life developed beside Jimmy’s coaching career. The family moved as his work changed. Linda also continued her own work as an educator.
At the time of Linda’s death, Brent lived in California. Chad lived in Dallas, Texas. These locations appeared in her official memorial notice.
Linda was also a grandmother. Her obituary named Lola Grace Johnson as her granddaughter. Memorial messages described Linda as a caring mother and grandmother.
Linda Kay Cooper Divorce and Second Marriage
Linda and Jimmy divorced in January 1990. Their marriage had lasted more than twenty six years. Both later began separate chapters.
Linda kept her private life away from the media. She did not build a public platform after the divorce. Few personal interviews remain available.
She later married Roger Kent Aronson. Linda’s 2003 obituary names Roger as her husband. It does not provide their wedding date.
Some online profiles place the marriage in 2000. However, strong public records do not confirm that year. The safest fact is that they were married by 2003.
Linda Kay Cooper Net Worth and Private Lifestyle
Linda’s exact finances were never made public. No reliable probate file or financial statement gives her personal wealth. Her teaching salary is also unknown.
Some biography websites estimate her net worth near $100,000 to $200,000. That range is not an official figure. It should remain a rough estimate only.
Her life appears to have centered on education and family. She stayed outside celebrity business projects. She also avoided regular media attention.
This privacy limits any firm financial claim. Her value cannot be measured by money alone. Her work and family role form the stronger legacy.
Linda Kay Cooper Death and Legacy
Linda died on October 6, 2003, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was 61 years old. Her memorial service followed later that month.
Her obituary asked for memorial gifts to Washington Regional Hospice. It did not state a cause of death. A hospice request does not prove a specific illness.
Linda left behind her husband, two sons, granddaughter, and brother. Friends remembered her warmth, courage, and love of travel. They also praised her character.
Her legacy rests in education and family. Public interest began with Jimmy Johnson. Yet her own life reflected service, movement, and personal strength.
Final Thoughts
Linda Kay Cooper lived a quiet but active life. She taught students, traveled widely, and raised two sons. She also faced major family changes.
Her marriage to Jimmy Johnson made her name searchable. Still, she was more than an NFL coach’s ex wife. She had her own profession and goals.
Reliable records support the main facts of her story. They also leave many private details unknown. A fair biography should respect those limits.
Linda died in 2003, but family memories remain. Her work as an educator gives her story lasting meaning. It deserves clear and careful telling.
FAQs
Who was Linda Kay Cooper?
Linda Kay Cooper was an American educator. She was also the first wife of football coach Jimmy Johnson and the mother of his two sons.
When did Linda Kay Cooper marry Jimmy Johnson?
Linda married Jimmy Johnson on July 12, 1963. Their marriage lasted until January 1990, which was about twenty six years.
Did Linda Kay Cooper have children?
Yes. Linda and Jimmy Johnson had two sons, W. Brent Johnson and Chad J. Johnson. Her obituary also named one granddaughter, Lola Grace Johnson.
What did Linda Kay Cooper do for work?
Linda worked as a teacher and retired educator. Her obituary said she taught worldwide, while memorial messages linked part of her work to Venezuela.
How did Linda Kay Cooper die?
Linda died in Fayetteville on October 6, 2003. Her published obituary did not state a cause, so any specific medical claim remains unverified.
