Jimmy Johnson’s ex-wife Linda Kay Cooper Biography: Husband, Children, Parents, Siblings, Age, Net Worth, Death

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Linda Kay Cooper was an educator who became known to many as the first wife of Jimmy Johnson, the renowned American football coach and sports analyst.

While not a public figure in her own right, her connection to Johnson during his rise to fame and her role as a dedicated educator garnered her attention.

Shared experiences marked their nearly three-decade marriage as he transitioned from a college athlete to an NFL legend.

Cooper’s journey highlights her commitment to education, family, and navigating life with a prominent partner.

Profile

•   Full name: Linda Kay Cooper  
•   Date of birth: January 17, 1942  
•   Age (as of 2024): 84 (deceased in 2003)
•   Gender: Female  
•   Place of birth: Marked Tree, Arkansas, USA  
•   Nationality: American  
•   Profession: Educator  
•   Height: N/A  
•   Parents: Reginald Taft Cooper (father) and Martha Virginia Cooper (mother)  
•   Siblings: Teddy Neal Cooper (brother) and JoAnn Moody (sister)  
•   Spouse: Jimmy Johnson (1963–1990), Roger Kent Aronson (subsequently)  
•   Children: Brent Johnson, Chad Johnson  
•   Relationship status: Deceased
•   Religion: N/A  
•   Ethnicity: White  
•   Net worth: $200k

Early Life and Education

Born in Marked Tree, Arkansas, on January 17, 1942, and posthumously at 82 as of 2024. Linda Kay Cooper spent her early years in a close-knit family as the youngest of three siblings.

Her father, Reginald, and mother, Martha, played pivotal roles in shaping her values. She was raised alongside her brother Teddy and sister JoAnn, who remained part of her support system.  

Linda attended the University of Arkansas, where she majored in education. While there, she met Jimmy Johnson, a college football player.

At 21, Linda married Jimmy, beginning a new chapter in their shared journey. Her academic pursuits and dedication to education were cornerstones of her identity throughout her life.

Personal Life

Linda and Jimmy Johnson married in 1963, both in their early twenties and still attending the University of Arkansas. Together, they had two sons, Brent and Chad, and built a family grounded in shared values and mutual respect.

Linda supported Jimmy during his burgeoning football coaching career, balancing her role as a mother with her work as an educator. Their marriage ended in 1990 amid significant changes in Jimmy’s career as he became head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

While Jimmy cited a desire for independence as a factor in their separation, Linda’s perspective on the divorce remains less documented. After the divorce, Linda remarried Roger Kent Aronson and led a more private life until her passing in 2003.

Career

Linda Kay Cooper devoted her career to education. She worked as a teacher in various capacities, including stints overseas in countries such as Venezuela.

Her teaching philosophy emphasized compassion and the transformative power of education. She left a lasting impression on many students who admired her commitment to their development.

Net Worth

Linda Kay Cooper’s net worth at the time of her demise was around $200k

Death

Linda Kay Cooper passed away on October 6, 2003, at 61. She spent her later years with her second husband, Roger Kent Aronson, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Social Media

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