MEMPHIS, Tenn. – He was known for being a good Samaritan andwilling to do God’s work, but attempting to do a good deed is whateventually led to a former Brookhaven man’s death.

Kelvin Cooper, 38, died Tuesday afternoon, after being robbed,doused with gasoline and set afire in his car on Monday,authorities and family members said.

Cooper was a minister at Trinity A.M.E. Church in West Point, aposition he had held since September, and a good person, said hisfather-in-law Richard Gipson.

“He was the type that tried to help people,” Gipson said of hisson-in-law.

People knew they could call on him for assistance, whether itwas for rides or other things, he added. Cooper had been married toGipson’s daughter LaShawn for seven years and the couple resided inMemphis.

Gipson said a woman had called Cooper for help. When he arrivedto assist the woman he found her and two men, who police think arethe people who robbed and set him on fire.

“As far as I know they have three (in custody),” Gipson said.”And they confessed to the crime.”

Lt. Col. M.D. Jones with the Memphis Police Department said inan Associated Press report the man survived the attack only becausesomeone drove up and saw what was happening. He said the witnessespulled the victim from the car, put out the flames and then called911.

Cooper was still conscious and told police he didn’t know hisattackers. He told police he was robbed somewhere else and drivento the Oakhaven section of the city before he was set on fire.

Jones said the man was burned over most of his upper body andhis face. Cooper died Tuesday at the Regional Medical Center.

Margaret Franklin, of Brookhaven, said her son was a 1991graduate of Brookhaven High School and had been a minister sincehis graduation.

He is also the son of Larry Cooper, of Brookhaven.

Services for Cooper are incomplete. Williams Mortuary inBrookhaven is in charge of arrangements.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.