Happy Anniversary Jeff & Janelle
Happy Anniversary Jeff & Janelle!
Jeff & Janelle were married just after midnight on February 6th, 1942 in Gardnerville, Nevada!
Catherine Theresa Hastings Jones
We mourn the loss of Catherine Theresa Hastings Jones, “Tess”, who died last evening after a long battle with cancer. She was the youngest granddaughter of Jeff and Janelle and an active member of our Board of Directors. She was 48. She leaves behind her husband Jeremy, and daughters Ari (15) and Cate (13), in addition to her mother, sister, aunts, cousins, in-laws, and a huge circle of friends.
A bright light has gone out of our lives and we hope to be able to honor her memory by moving forward with as much grace, humor, strength, dignity, empathy and loving kindness as she embodied in her too-short life.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, please send email to: tess(at)jeffcooperfoundation.org
5 Foundation scholarship recipients have gone on to become instructors at Gunsite!
On a whim I applied for a Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation scholarship in the fall of 2019 never thinking I would receive it. After submitting my application on line, about a week or so later I received a letter stating that I was the recipient. Not sure what to do and not being very informed on what exactly Gunsite was, I called a friend of mine who I had been training with and instructing for, for many years, John Farnam (Gunsite Student). He said do it! I know enough about John that when he says to do something, you should probably do it. With my wife’s blessing I decided to attend the 250 the week before the 2019 GAS and it was life changing for me.
I instantly took an extreme liking to the instructor’s, culture, method of instruction and physical location of Gunsite. I had been training on my own and with my police organization for many years but I have, and always keep an open mind when it comes to firearms training. I learned a tremendous amount that week from RM John Hall, Joe Avila, Amy Grant and Ken Tuttle. When I participated in GAS that Saturday I met Matt Olivier, Rob Leahy, Isaac Hanson and Andy Rowe and shot with all day and we all became instant friends to this day.
Upon returning to my home state of New Jersey I planned to return ASAP to Gunsite. In September of 2020 I retired from the New Jersey State Police after 26 years . My last day was on a Tuesday and that Friday I was in my truck driving out to Gunsite for a 350, GAS and 499. It was during those two weeks that I started thinking about what it took to be an instructor at Gunsite. My learning continued and my fondness for the place grew.
Shortly after my 3 day ride returning to NJ, I was again planning my return to Gunsite. I took a position with my local Sheriff’s Office and returned the following summer to Phoenix for the National Sheriff’s Conference and thought why don’t I take another course at Gunsite while I’m out there. So, in June of 2021 I participated in a 556 class and again, learned a tremendous amount due to the excellent instruction of Joe Knapp and Matt Ostrander. It was then that I spoke with several instructors about becoming a provost instructor.
During 2022 I travelled to Gunsite multiple times to satisfy the required course of instruction necessary to become an instructor and had the absolute pleasure of working with RM’s Freddie Blish, Dave Hartman and Jeff Dooley among other outstanding men. My last week as provost was right before GAS. Myself and Provost Instructor Matt Eagleston were both made instructors at the same time. This undoubtedly, marked one of the most notable accomplishments I have ever had the pleasure of obtaining. It required a considerable financial obligation in travel, an extraordinary effort and a tremendous investment of time. The three things that made it possible for me to accomplish this goal was God, family and my passion for teaching good people to defend themselves against evil.
And that’s my story! – Matthew Avenatti (Scholarship recipient)
John Gannaway
Arizona Pioneers’ Home Cemetery – Final resting place for Jeff and Janelle’s remains
The Cooper Family would like to announce that a final resting place for Jeff and Janelle’s remains has been secured at the Arizona Pioneers’ Home Cemetery in Prescott at the request of the family. While Gunsite has been completely supportive of the Coopers remaining in the mausoleum in perpetuity, a family decision was made to ensure long term security and allow easier access by family and friends. The Arizona Pioneers’ Home Cemetery is surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Prescott, and is home to some of the area’s most noted figures, including Sharlot Hall, Big Nose Kate, and a majority of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. All are welcome to visit. The Coopers’ home at the Sconce will remain a monument to Jeff and Janelle on Gunsite Ranch, sponsored and maintained by Gunsite Academy. The new Gunsite 250 Pistol Course graduates will continue to visit the Sconce after graduation. It will also be open by appointment to Gunsite family members to visit and enjoy by scheduling through Gunsite Academy.
Update on the Sconce at Gunsite
The Sconce, Mom and Dad’s residence at Gunsite, was always part of the entire property and, as such, was sold when Gunsite was sold. Mom and Dad had “life estate” in the Sconce. With Mom’s passing this last July, we have been going through all the personal belongings therein.
We have completed this phase and have turned over the keys to Gunsite.
All of Dad’s collections (guns, edged weapons, hunting trophies, leather accessories and books) belong to The Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation and will continue to be housed at the Sconce through the generosity of Buz and Sonja Mills. The Sconce will continue to be available for tours and we will continue to host the Open House at the end of each 250 class, complete with brownies and Arnold Palmers.
The traditions live on!
Jane Ellen “Janelle” (Marks) Cooper
Jane Ellen “Janelle” (Marks) Cooper, age 99, of Paulden, AZ passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28th, 2019. She died with as much grace as she lived, surrounded by family and dear friends.
Janelle was born May 31, 1920 in Los Angeles, CA to Jasper Glenn Marks and Florence Pixley Marks, the second of two children. She attended the Marlborough School in Los Angeles and graduated from Stanford University in 1942. During her junior year in high school, she met the love of her life, Jeff. They eloped in February, 1942, she a senior at Stanford, he a commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, in the throes of World War II. Together, they would lead an extraordinary life through 64 years of marriage; winning dance contests, enduring wars, raising a family, starting a world-renowned institution, and travelling the world.
After raising their 3 daughters in the Big Bear Lake area of California, Jeff and Janelle moved to Paulden, Arizona in 1975, to fulfill Jeff’s vision of creating a school where the private citizen could learn the fundamentals of self-defense through personal firearms training. They started the American Pistol Institute in 1978, which would later become known as Gunsite Ranch (now Gunsite Academy). As the perfect complement to Jeff, Janelle’s steadfast devotion to her husband facilitated the success of his vision. Janelle’s charm, grace, and warm hospitality greeted decades of students and instructors, leaving her with lifelong friends far and wide.
After Jeff’s passing in 2006, Janelle carried on in their home at Gunsite Ranch, known as “the Sconce,” until her death. She continued to open her home to students graduating from the 250 pistol class at Gunsite, offering her famous brownies and “Arnold Palmers” (iced tea and lemonade), as well as a tour of the home which displays a lifetime of history. She (with family) started the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation in 2006, and served as its president until her death.
The epitome of grace and strength, Janelle was a remarkable woman in countless ways. She was beautiful, dignified, humble, gracious, sharp, generous, and incredibly resilient She could intelligently converse with anyone about almost anything, and attributed her longevity and vigorous good health to maintaining a positive outlook. The world is diminished by her loss, but her legacy will live on through the many lives she has influenced.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Christy (Charles) Hastings, Parry (Bruce) Heath, Lindy (Joe) Wisdom, grandchildren Amy (David) Lovato, Vicky (Cougan) Carothers, Lisa (Brian) Altevogt, Tess (Jeremy) Jones, Tyler (Jenny) Heath, 13 great-grandchildren, and many, many dear friends. She has been interred beside her husband in the mausoleum at Gunsite in a private ceremony. A memorial celebration of life will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Ln. in Prescott, on Sat., Sept. 28 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation (jeffcooperfoundation.org).