Linda Kay Cooper was the ex-wife of Jimmy Johnson, the popular American sports analyst and former football coach. Born on 17th January 1942, Linda and Johnson were married for nearly three decades before parting ways.
Linda, who died on 6th October 2003, was an American teacher, and despite being more known as just Jimmy Johnson’s ex-wife, she was also a very hardworking woman who taught children and loved to travel.
Summary of Linda Kay Cooper’s Biography
- Full name: Linda Kay Cooper
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 17th January 1942
- Date of death: 6th October 2003
- Linda Kay Cooper’s Age at Death: 61
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Married
- Linda Kay Cooper’s Husband: Roger Kent Aronson
- Linda Kay Cooper’s Children: Brent Johnson and Chad Johnson
- Linda Kay Cooper’s Parents: Reginald Taft and Martha Virginia Cooper.
- Siblings: Teddy Neal Cooper and JoAnn Moody
- Famous for: Being Jimmy Johnson’s ex-wife
Jimmy Johnson’s Ex-Wife, Linda Kay Cooper, Was Born In Arkansas
Linda Kay Cooper was born in Marked Tree, a small town located in Poinsett County, Arkansas, United States. This was also where she was raised by her family. Linda was born on the 17th of January, 1942. This means she was a Capricorn, according to astrology.
According to our findings, Linda was born to a father called Reginald Taft and a mother identified as Martha Virginia Cooper. Very little is known about them or what they did for a living to raise Linda and her siblings. However, some reports insinuate that one of Linda’s parents was a teacher who was very fond of imparting knowledge. This claim has not been independently verified though.
Reports also say that while Linda’s parents were not super rich, they were also not poor folks, implying that Linda grew up in a stable environment and was provided with the necessary amenities and resources. As a child, she is said to have experienced a typical Southern upbringing, surrounded by the town’s friendly community and family members.
The small town environment is reported to have also contributed to her simple and humble personality, which she carried throughout her life. Sadly, both Linda’s parents have passed away. Her father reportedly died in 1989 while her mother passed away in 2003.
She Was The Last Born Child Of Her Family
Linda Kay Cooper was not an only child in her family, as her parents had other children. According to our findings, she had an older brother called Teddy Neal Cooper and an older sister called JoAnn Moody. She was the last child of her family.
Growing up in the small town of Marked Tree, Linda and her siblings were raised with a sense of togetherness, which they carried into adulthood. Being the youngest of her siblings, Linda was often treated with care, earning her the nickname “the egg.” Her siblings played a crucial role in her upbringing, providing her with the guidance and support she needed to navigate through life.
Born in 1935, Linda’s brother, Teddy later became a teacher and a life coach. On the other hand, JoAnn, born in 1940, worked in an office but not much is known about her career or personal life. Sadly, life took an unfortunate turn for Linda’s family as they suffered the loss of the elder siblings.
JoAnn passed away on October 25th, 1993, and was buried at the Roselawn Memorial Park in Arkansas. It was a difficult time for Linda and her family, as they mourned the loss of their beloved sister. Similarly, Teddy Neal Cooper passed away on December 30th, 2019, at the age of 85.
Linda Attended The University of Arkansas
Not much is known about Linda Kay Cooper’s early education as details of the schools where she had her elementary and high school education remain unclear. However, it is confirmed that she did attend high school in her home state of Arkansas.
Linda’s academic pursuits did not end there though; our research shows that she went on to pursue a college education at the University of Arkansas in the 1960s. However, information about the specific course that she studied at the university remains unclear at the moment.
How Did Linda Kay Cooper Meet Her Husband, Jimmy Johnson?
The love story of Linda Kay Cooper and Jimmy Johnson began at the University of Kansas, where they both attended college. Johnson, a talented football player, was playing as a defensive lineman for the university at the time they met. On her own end, Linda was focused on pursuing her academic goals.
Although it is not entirely clear what year their first meeting happened, it is believed that they kickstarted their romance almost immediately and remained together till they got married. Their shared experiences in school and mutual interests sparked a connection that eventually blossom into a beautiful romance.
For the record, Linda was a year older than Johnson but despite this, she was drawn to his charismatic personality, drive, and ambition. They became inseparable and their bond grew stronger with each passing day. Their college romance was the beginning of a lifelong journey together.
Linda’s Ex-Husband Is A Legend Of American Football
It is noteworthy that Linda Kay Cooper’s ex-husband, Jimmy Johnson is a former American football player and coach who achieved significant success in his career. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, and his career achievements speak for themselves. Johnson started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech University in 1965. He later worked as an assistant coach at several universities, including the University of Arkansas and the University of Miami.
In 1984, he became the head coach at the University of Miami and led the team to a national championship in 1987. Under his leadership, the team also produced several NFL stars, including Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, and Ray Lewis. In 1989, Johnson was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. In his first year, the team had a losing record, but he quickly turned things around, and the Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993.
During his tenure with the Cowboys, he built a team that was known for its dominance on both sides of the ball, and several of his players, including Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, went on to have Hall of Fame careers. After leaving the Cowboys in 1994, Johnson went on to work as a television analyst for Fox Sports. He later returned to coaching in 1996 as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, where he led the team to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. Johnson retired from coaching in 2000 with a career record of 80-64 in the NFL.
She Became Jimmy Johnson’s Wife At Age 21
After getting together in college, Linda Kay Cooper and Jimmy Johnson remained together and eventually got married on July 12, 1963. Interestingly, Linda became Johnson’s when she was just 21 years old. Even more interesting is the fact that Johnson himself was still just 20 years old and still in college playing college football for the University of Arkansas.
Getting married at such a young age and while still in college was a bold move for the couple. However, their shared values and commitment to each other made them confident in their decision to take this step. Their families were also in support of them which helped them a great deal. Linda’s unwavering support for her husband’s athletic pursuits was also a crucial factor in their decision to get married.
Despite the challenges that come with being a young couple, Linda and Jimmy’s love for each other only grew stronger over the years. Also, during their marriage, Jimmy Johnson and Linda Kay Cooper both pursued their dreams and achieved notable successes in their respective careers.
As Johnson was making strides in the football world, Linda pursued her passion for teaching. While their marriage lasted, Linda and Jimmy supported each other’s aspirations and celebrated each other’s achievements.
Why Did Linda Kay Cooper and Jimmy Johnson Divorce?
Despite appearing to have a perfect life together, Linda Kay Cooper and Jimmy Johnson’s marriage eventually ended in a divorce. For the record, the couple was married for 27 years (from 1963 to 1990) before parting ways. Their divorce came as a shock to many people who never saw it coming.
According to our findings, the dissolution of their union occurred during a time of great change for Johnson. He had recently accepted the position to become the head coach for the Dallas Cowboys and had relocated to Dallas when the divorce took place. Johnson had taken the new job in 1989 and the following year, he announced his divorce from Linda Kay Cooper.
The exact reason for the divorce remains unclear, however, when Johnson was interviewed later by journalists, he made some revelations as to why they parted ways. According to him, he developed a strong desire for solitude and wanted to live all alone. He also said he no longer needed the social support of a spouse, as being left alone was what he wanted more than anything.
Linda never spoke about the reason for their divorce publicly but reports had it that she was left feeling devalued and hurt by Johnson’s statements about wanting to be left alone. The situation was reportedly uncomfortable for Linda because felt as though she was merely an object to be used and then discarded by Johnson.
It is not clear how the divorce proceedings went or what Johson paid Linda as a settlement. Whether or not they maintained contact after the divorce is also unknown.
Did Linda Kay Cooper Have Children With Jimmy Johnson?
During their marriage, Linda Kay Cooper and Jimmy Johnson were blessed with two sons- Brent Johnson and Chad J. Johnson. Apparently, their sons were raised in affluence considering their father’s success and wealth as a very popular coach. It is not clear when exactly they were born as these details have remained vague over the years.
Both of Linda’s two sons are now full-grown adult men. Brent Johnson, the older of the two, currently resides in Redwood City, California, where he also works. However, it is not clear what he does for a living. Chad J. Johnson, the younger of the two, currently resides in Dallas, Texas, where he is involved in various pursuits. Not much else is known about Chad’s life, as he prefers to keep a low profile and is a private individual.
According to reports, both men are now married ad have their own children, a development that has turned both Linda and her ex-husband into grandparents. The identities of Brent and Chad’s spouses are not known.
Did Linda Remarry After Leaving Johnson?
After divorcing Jimmy Johnson, Linda Kay Cooper did not remain single. She found love again, this time with a man named Roger Kent Aronson. Details about Aronson’s background, including where he was from and what he did for a living, are not known.
These details are vague because Linda disappeared from public space after her divorce from Jimmy Johnson and became very private. So, it got really hard to find out new information about her. This notwithstanding, it is believed that she and Aronson lived happily and that Linda retired from teaching soon after but it is not clear what she did later. It is also worth noting that Linda and Aronson did not have any children together.
Following their marriage, the couple lived together in Fayetteville, a city located in northwest Arkansas. This was also where Linda spent her last days.
On his own part, Jimmy Johnson also remarried after divorcing Linda Kay Cooper. He married a woman called Rhonda Rookmaaker on July 18, 1999. They have remained married ever since. According to reports, they currently live in Islamorada in the Florida Keys.
Jimmy Johnson’s Ex-Wife Worked As A Teacher
For her career, Linda Kay Cooper chose to be a teacher. Her decision to become a teacher did not come as a huge surprise. As we have explained, one of her parents was reportedly a teacher and her older brother also became a teacher too. So, she may have become influenced by them to go into the teaching line and do exploits there.
Linda began her teaching career in schools around North Carolina, where she is reported to have left quite a lasting impact on her students. However, she did not remain in North Carolina throughout her teaching career. In fact, it is reported that her desire to travel and explore new opportunities took her to other parts of the United States.
According to reports, he had a knack for changing locations and getting teaching jobs wherever she went, which allowed her to broaden her horizons and gain a wealth of experience. It is reported that Linda’s love for teaching even took her beyond the borders of the United States. She was reported to have taught in schools in Venezuela and other parts of the world, making a positive impact on the lives of students in those countries.
Linda was not reported to have done any other thing professionally. She was usually addressed as an ex-educator whenever her name is mentioned.
