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Richard Cooper

Born:
Passed: July 12, 2008
Funeral Home: Lange Funeral Home
Dr. Richard (Dick) Eudean Cooper, fifth child of Leo and Lennie Hamm Cooper, was born on December 27, 1928 at their home west of Mystic, Iowa and passed away Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the age of 79 at the Golden Age Manor in Centerville, Iowa. Dick received his early education at the May school. He graduated with the class of l947 at Mystic High School. Then he worked at Farmhall tractor factory in Rock Island, Illinois for three years saving money for college. He completed one year at Centerville Junior College and then transferred to Iowa State University where he graduated in seven years with a degree in veterinary medicine with the Class of 1956. Dick established a practice at Centerville that year at 904 West Washington Street. His first office was an old filling station. He built a new office in l960 and practiced there in a large animal mixed practice until November of l998 when he retired after 42 years of practice. Dick wrote lots of health papers and checked puppies for his brother Stanley who raised and sold them. On August 7, 1960, Dick married Sharon Joy Brown who was a home economics teacher in the local school system at First Christian Church of Mt. Ayr, I...[more]

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. To this union two children were born, Scott LeRoy Cooper of Floyds Knobs, Indiana and Shari Lynne Cooper Atwood of Altoona, Iowa. Dick joined the Drake Avenue Christian Church of Centerville and was baptized in April of l960. He served as a deacon at one time. In later years he liked to participate in the carry in dinners on the first Sunday of the month. In December 1965, Dick and Sharon moved into their home that they designed out of a Better Homes and Gardens catalog on Mikels Drive enjoying raising their children, gardening and planting many flowerbeds. When Dick wasn't looking after animals, he was digging in his flowerbeds. A supportive and caring father, he attended numerous sporting and musical events of his children throughout the years. In August 2000, Dick and Sharon celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at the Green Circle in Centerville with their family and friends. Later that fall they took a train/cruise vacation with their children to Alaska enjoying the glacier scenery and the wonderful cruise cuisine, Dick's favorite. Dick was helpful to his community. He belonged to several organizations at one time or another. He was a member of the BPOE Elks, Jackson Lodge AF&M No. 42, O.E.S. No. 239, Lions Club, and an honorary 4-H Club member. For many years he wrote health papers for 4-H members who brought their projects to the county fair and was Appanoose County Fair veterinarian for many years. Dick was a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and a life member of the Iowa State University Alumni Association. Forever an Iowa State Cyclone, Dick enjoyed attending Iowa State University home football games for the past 20 years with his family and the tailgating ritual preceding the game. He was fortunate to attend several Cyclone football bowl games with his family. Dick is preceded in death in his immediate family by his parents Leo and Lennie Cooper; brother, Dr. Bill Cooper; brother, Stanley Cooper; brother Dr. Gary Cooper; and sister, Carol Cooper. Dick is survived by his wife, Sharon Cooper; son, Scott LeRoy Cooper married to Robin Cooper and grandson Kyle Ringler; daughter, Shari Lynne Atwood married to Mike Atwood and grandchildren Raechael Mae Atwood and Ryan Cooper Atwood; sister, Donna Rupalo; sister, Betty Larson; brother Leroy Cooper married to Joyce; sister JoAnn Costello married to Jim and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Dick will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Visitation will be held at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 16th with the family present from 6-8 p.m. A Masonic Service will be held at 7 PM at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at the Drake Avenue Christian Church in Centerville, Iowa Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 10:00 am with Pastor Nancy Prall officiating. Music will be by Karen Shondel who will sing "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace." The congregation will sing "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder." Casketbearers will be Duane Rupalo, Ronald Allen, Bill Zintz, Dr. Lawrence Heffron, David Cooper and Trenton Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Leroy Cooper, Clinton Smith, Howard Hartness, Ramon Bear, Clive Wells and OR Parks. Burial will be in the Haines Cemetery on Hwy 5, Centerville, Iowa. Memorials are established for the Dr. Richard Eudean Cooper Appanoose County 4-H Youth Scholarship, the Drake Avenue Christian Church or the 18-80 Club and may be left or mailed to the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may also be left online at http://www.funeralplan2.com/thomaslangefuneralhome/obits

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Lange Funeral Home
Centerville, Iowa 52544
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