The parents of murdered tennis coach James Cooper today paid tribute to their ”gentle, kind, compassionate” son.
James (right) picture with friend and victim James Kouzaris
Devastated Stanley, 58, and Sandra, 52, said their lives had been ”shattered” by the brutal slaying of their only child.
The 25-year-old was gunned down with university pal James Kouzaris, 24, in a slum area of Sarasota, Florida, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
In statement issued by Warwickshire Police, the couple said: ”We loved our son and he loved us so strongly.
”We are blessed and so very proud to have him as our boy. A day never passed without telling each other ‘I love you.’
”He was gentle, kind, compassionate, clever and an athlete; but beyond all his achievements he was full of love.
”Always the man to keep his friends from childhood to university to work, together.
”His laugh, his voice, his humour filled every space. In his short life he lived it to the full and helped everyone lucky enough to know him to do the same.
”As his parents our lives have been shattered, but through us and his friends and family he will live on.
”God Bless you son, heaven has another angel, but this world is a colder and poorer place without you in it.”
The couple were today being comforted by family and friends at their home in Hampton Lucy, Warks.