Dan Ray Cooper

Dan (Danny) Ray Cooper was born on November 25, 1946, in Stella Missouri, the second child of Paul and Marjorie (See) Cooper. He passed away Monday May 30, 2016 in Sulphur, OK. The Cooper family lived in the hills of Southwest Missouri until Dan was seven and then moved to Ames, Oklahoma, where Danny attended school, graduating with the Wildcat Class of 1967. Danny's life at Ames was defined by his work in ;the family vegetable business. He was always the first to rise and meet the day's work in the garden, after finishing after dark with moving the last "set" of irrigation pipe for his dad. He was attentive to the meticulous nature of life on a vegetable farm - with his work ethic being a great source of pride for his parents. On Memorial Day of 1967, only days after his high school graduation, Danny took the Greyhound bus from Enid to begin his military service, having enlisted in the United States Army in what we now know as the height of the Viet Nam Conflict. He completed his basic training at Ft. Bliss, TX; basic Army Administration training at Ft. Huachuca, AZ advanced Army Finance School at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN before serving two tours in Viet Nam. During Dan's service in Viet Nam, school friend Michael Umdenstock and classmate George Mason fell in battle, making an indelible impression on Dan. He was awarded three service medals and three campaign ribbons. He was honorable discharged on February 25, 1970. After Dan's parents' death, he moved to Sulphur, OK where he was a resident of the Oklahoma Veterans Center and remained there the rest of his life. His time there was marked by many friendships with both veterans who resided there and the Veterans Center staff who were his loving caregivers. Dan thrived on his trips from the Veteran Center to local businesses in Sulphur, where he was always treated with honor and respect. He loved participation in the many activities afforded the residents; rodeos, fishing, football games and especially trips to the State Capitol for Veterans Appreciation events. Dan was most proud of helping the Sulphur Veterans Team win the second place trophy at the Veterans Domino Tournament, hosted by Governor George Nigh each fall in the Blue Room at the State Capitol. Dan's faith in the Lord was great. He was a member of the Ames Church of Christ in his youth and was faithful to the Crossway Church in Sulphur during his years there. Dan is survived by brothers: Dick Cooper and wife Vicki of Lubbock, TX Eddie Cooper and wife Carol of Drummond, sisters: Louise Maynard and husband Ron of Mankato, MN Janice Stotts and husband John of McLoud as well as nephews, nieces and cousins. Graveside Services will be 2:00PM Saturday June 4, 2016 at Ames Cemetery under the direction DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur, OK Memorials can be made to the Resident Benefit Fund at the Sulphur Veteran Center 304 E. Fairlane Sulphur, Ok. 73086 Family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 PM Friday June 3 at the Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.dearmanfuneralhome.com

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Dan Ray Cooper

November 25, 1946 - May 30, 2016