George Cooper

George Leonard Cooper, 77, of Sedalia left this earthly life to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 2, 2015 at Bothwell Regional Health Center, Sedalia. He was born on November 4, 1937 in Houstonia, MO the son of Otto Cooper and Mildred Catherine Messer, who preceded him in death. On June 21, 1958 he was united in marriage to Mary Louise White, who survives of the home. George made a public profession of faith in Christ and was baptized in 1963 at First Baptist Church, Hutchinson, KS. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Sedalia for 40 years where he served faithfully in various capacities including Deacon and Worship Leader. He was a 1957 graduate from Knob Noster High School where he was a standout basketball player. George served his country honorably in the US Navy. He was involved in the Boy Scouts as a Scout Master of Troop #56 in Sedalia. Under his nearly 10 year leadership, he had several scouts attain the rank of Eagle. He loved sports, being outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, bowling and golfing. George especially enjoyed spending time with his family and dearly loved his grandchildren. Besides his wife, he is survived by three children, Michael Ray Cooper (Debra) of Centralia, MO, Michelle Renee Hawkins (Mark) of Sedalia, and Tina Lee Walters (Rodney) of Sedalia; one sister, Sue Bellamy (Randall) of Independence, MO; three brothers, Larry Cooper (Hannah) of Oak Grove, MO, Russel Allen Cooper (Nicole) of Sedalia, and Larry Dale Whipple of Sedalia; six grandchildren, Savannah, Trenton, Aaron, Kaitlyn, Morgan and Olivia. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Phyllis Wescamp, and one brother, Bobby Cooper. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Calvary Baptist Church, Sedalia with Rev. Ted Francis officiating and Dr. Don Satterwhite assisting. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date in Highland Sacred Gardens, Sedalia following cremation. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of the church: Ward Golston, Dr. Mike Scott, Jack Howell, Gary Goff, Richard Husband, Fritz Stodtman, Richard "Robbie" Robinson along with his buddies from Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company and classmates from Knob Noster High School. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to American Cancer Society or Calvary Baptist Church in care of Rea Funeral Chapel.