History
Born John Dean Cooper, but known to his friends as "Jeff", Cooper graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in political science. He received a regular commission in the United States Marine Corps in September 1941. During World War II he served in the Pacific on the USS Pennsylvania. By the end of the war he had been promoted to major. Feeling his career prospects were limited by his lack of infantry experience, he resigned his commission in 1949. He returned to active duty during the Korean War, was involved in irregular warfare, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. After the Korean war the Marine Corps declined his application to remain on active duty. In the mid-1960s, he received a master's degree in history from the University of California, Riverside.
In 1976, Cooper founded the American Pistol Institute (API) in Paulden, Arizona (later the Gunsite Training Center). Cooper began teaching shotgun and rifle classes to law enforcement and military personnel as well as civilians and did on-site training for individuals and groups from around the world. He sold the firm in 1992 but continued living on the Paulden ranch. He was known for his advocacy of large caliber handguns, especially the Colt 1911 and the .45 ACP cartridge.
Cooper died at his home on the afternoon of Monday, September 25, 2006 at the age of 86.
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