Donald Kent Cooper

Donald Kent Cooper, 85, Gardner, KS passed on February 11, 2019. He was born in Eldorado, KS on July 23, 1933, the fourth child of Jenkin Harold Cooper and Meta Jean Templeton. When Don was 4 years old his divorced father married Agnes May Plympton Shane and this union brought another older sister into the family. Shortly after their marriage his parents moved to Rock Island IL, where Don grew up and attending school.

Don married Mary Joan Biery on June 5, 1960, in Keokuk, Iowa. Their son Bryan Kent Cooper was born a few years later in St Paul Minnesota. His wife passed August 1983 in Liberty, Missouri. In April 1985 Don married Zoe Ella Gilmore Wilson, at Countryside Christian Church in Mission, KS and he received the gift of two adult children, Ken Allan Wilson and Kay Lynn Wilson Roberts.

One of the joys of his life was the birth and growing years of his 4 grandchildren. He loved to take them to the zoo and watch Disney cartoon movies with them. After retiring he became their personal bus driver to and from school which he enjoyed because he found out about the school day of each first hand. Don worked in consumer finance for over 45 years, including Central Communications Credit Union in Kansas City, MO.

He leaves behind his wife Zoe, son Bryan, stepson Ken Wilson, one grandson, Micah Roberts, three granddaughters Isabella Roberts (Tony Chinh), Bailey Wilson, and Juliana (Alexander) Grace and 2 great grandchildren, Aria Chinh and Zephyrus Grace., nieces and nephews and many friends. Family he lost previously were his parents, Jenkin H. and Agnes Cooper, one brother, William J., 3 sisters Marjorie, Charlene Morton, and Helen Leatherman and one stepdaughter Kay Lynn Wilson Roberts.

Memorial gifts may be given to Lenexa Baptist Church or American Cancer Fund.

“O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter, and all we are the work of Your hand.”

– ISAIAH 64:8