Thomas Calvin Cooper

Thomas Calvin Cooper, 91, El Dorado Springs, passed away at Cedar County Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. He had been battling loneliness and his own cooking after outliving his wife and all of his siblings. Tom was born Feb. 20, 1927, at Clinton to Stith and Ella Cooper. He was raised on a farm just west of Delmar Store south of Clinton, attended school at Hopewell and walked or rode a horse about two miles to school.

On July 21, 1945, Tom married Betty Irene Park and to this union five children were born – Kenneth, Brenda, Evelyn, Ronald and Tom Jr. They shared over 71 years together until Betty’s passing in November of 2016.

After spending several years in California, Tom decided home was in Missouri and returned in 1962, buying a farm just east of El Dorado Springs.

Being raised with “horse power”, Tom loved horses and always had one or more around. He worked at the International Shoe Factory until they shut it down. He loved this job and the people he worked with. His cattle kept him young and active, but at the age of 86, he decided to let another generation play and sold his herd.

Preceding him in death were his mother and father; 12 siblings – George, Florie, Frank, Lee, Jake, Charlie, Fred, Jessie, Marie, Jr., Jewell and a stillborn sister; his wife Betty; and two grandsons: Kenneth Wayne Cooper and Timothy Dan Cooper.

Survivors include five children – Kenneth Cooper and wife. Kathy – Stockton, Brenda Larson – Shawnee Mission, KS, Evelyn Weigel and husband, John – El Dorado Springs, Ron Cooper – Walker and Tom Cooper Jr. – El Dorado Springs; 12 grandchildren – Kim, Kellie, Kendra, Chris, Lorie, Brittney, Tracie, Brad, Casey, Dusty, Jessie and Steth; and 24 great-grandchildren.

At Tom’s request there will be no service and after cremation he will return to the farm he loved.

Arrangements were under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackelman.com.