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State Farm P&C Injury Team pledged to donate to Worsley Cemetery
Thursday, June 13, 2019
On behalf of Allison's colleagues at State Farm, we want to honor Mr. Cooper with this gift.
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Dave Backer posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2019
My wife Tresa and I extend our deepest sympathy to the Cooper family. We were sorry to hear of Dick's passing. I worked with him my entire career at Smith Cotton HS as a social studies teacher and an assistant principal. For years our class rooms were by side. I learn from him and enjoyed our friendship. He will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
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Kent Harris posted a condolence
Friday, May 31, 2019
It was a wonderful funeral service yesterday. I thought I knew Richard pretty well but was neat to learn even more about him. It was honored to be able to sit by the "Chat & Chew" group up next to the family as they have been a group of folks (my in laws included) who made many concerted efforts thru the years to go places, visit people, entertain each other and most of all take care of each other in the "trials of life". This is a group that I know appreciated having Richard and Mae as members.
I first got to know Richard as a tennis player. He was a good player, and although older than me, we had some good competitions. I was only a "novice" player but Richard played it as it SHOULD be played. He was the only player I played that took time to pick up the first serve ball if it did not make it over the net before the second ball was served. It did not matter if the ball had bounced out of the playing field, by golly he picked it up EVERYTIME! I chuckled as each game seemed to take "forever". He was RIGHT, however, as that is how it SHOULD be played.
We had personal conversations as the years went on a variety of subjects, from world events, to tennis, hunting, and education. As fellow educators, I have found no one else as knowledgeable as Richard in the field of education, and how politically we need to be very watchful of entities attempting to discredit public education and all that teachers do to raise up great, career oriented working folks.
The last area I was blessed to interact with Richard was his diligent responsibility in covering every City Council meeting. They are fairly numerous as each fiscal year goes by. I believe I can speak on behalf of our city council members, city administrator and office staff that Richard was a consummate gentleman and professional to highest degree. He made very sure the facts were recorded accurately, and reported to the public as promptly as our local Lamar Democrat could publish. Hard to count how many times I've seen him arrive early, stay after the meeting to gather or verify what he heard was correct, and then see him make his way back across the street to begin to put the story together, oftentimes late at night, in good weather or bad. As time went by, we invited Richard to sit around the city council table to help make sure the information was heard better (we have a few soft spoken councilman). Always at the end of our regular council meetings we have a "round table" segment where each city councilman can bring up any topic, area of concern, or present new ideas to the full council. As I work my around recognizing each councilman, I always asked Richard if he had any comment he would like to make. It was rare if he spoke any comment other than to say he would like to visit with certain city personnel after the meeting is adjourned to (once again) verify his facts. Again, he was the most professional news person I have ever known, and so diligent to do his job at the highest level. He treated his job as it SHOULD be.
Richard was a great American in so many ways, and missed by so many people. We'll all have to pull a little harder to make up for his efforts. His example of treating people respectfully and taking time to make sure things are right, is a testament of how we SHOULD live our lives. I know my life was enriched by getting to know Richard Cooper. What a blessing he was to our town, community, state and country, and greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Mayor Kent Harris
City of Lamar
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Harold Schreckenghaust posted a condolence
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Am a 1949 classmate of Richard. Enjoyed reading his articles in the Lamar Democrat. Had a nice visit with him at our last class reunion last summer.
God has a better plan than we and he will be missed here on earth.
Would like to have attended the service but my situation would not permit at this time.
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Jeff and Rochelle Backer pledged to donate to Worsley Cemetery
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Linda Johnson posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
While I never knew Dick personally I have many fond memories of watching him on KMOS TV giving the news when I was growing up. I remember him as a very gentle, caring person with a great smile who seemed to be genuinely interested and concerned with the news he was presenting. All of the beautiful family photos and his very impressive obituary shows what a wonderful person he truly was and the loving life he lead. My deepest sympathies to the family from such a great loss. There is no doubt he has gone on to his great rewards in Heaven.
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Ronald Sorensen posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Dick was a true professional educator who took his job as an educator seriously. Dick was a pleasure to work with and he was always the consummate gentleman. Deepest sympathies to Dick's family and all who loved him.5
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Doug and Rayma davis posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Doug and Rayma E6b4
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Claude Howard posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
So sorry to hear of Richard's passing. He used to cover our meetings of the Economic Dev. Council for the Democrat with grace and great accuracy. His interest and zeal were certainly appreciated. He will be missed. Our prayers are with his family.
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BEN HARRIS posted a condolence
Monday, May 27, 2019
What a great teacher, mentor, husband and father. It was an honor to have him as a teacher at Smith-Cotton. Many students have gained great knowledge on Mr. Cooper's behalf. From the entire Harris family, Godspeed.
Ben, Rufus, Louie, and Joy Harris.
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Warren Harris posted a condolence
Monday, May 27, 2019
Jay, Eric, and Allison. I am sorry for your loss. Your father was a great educator and a great man.
Ron and Mary Forbis posted a condolence
Monday, May 27, 2019
Jay, Eric, Allison, and all of the families,
Andy notified us of Richards passing, which surprised us at the news. We saw Richard several years ago in Joplin and had a short visit. Our prayers are with all of you at this time. Since I have an oral surgeon appointment the same time as the memorial we will not be able to attend.
Our
Condolences to each of you,
Ron and Mary Forbis
Carl Junction, MO
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Doris (Davis) Wolfe posted a condolence
Monday, May 27, 2019
Richard was my cousin, not first but once removed. Also, we were in the same high school class. Richard was special, always sensitive and a gentleman. Always interested in others - a jewel! We will miss him so much!
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Charlotte Curry posted a condolence
Monday, May 27, 2019
My first thoughts to describe Mr. Cooper are gentleman scholar. His many students will remember him fondly. Teachers like him are hard to find in this generation. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
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Patty Torbet (Long) posted a condolence
Monday, May 27, 2019
Mr. Cooper was my neighbor in Sedalia until I graduated in 1972. He was also my teacher at Smith Cotton as was his wife. I also watched him on the 10:00 news. I want to express my condolences to his entire family. They were both great neighbors and teachers.
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Kay Beth Lukacs Faubion posted a condolence
Monday, May 27, 2019
Craig and I are sending up prayers and peace to you all. We both had your dad in the same class, he was always a class act.
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