Gary Glenn Cooper, the son of Aithel and Lola (Nicholson) Cooper, was born July 25, 1936, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended Oregon High School, Oregon, Missouri, graduating in 1954. Gary then attended St. Joseph Junior College, Northwest Missouri State University, and later Tarkio College, Tarkio, Missouri.
On May 31, 1956, Gary was united in marriage to Sidney Pearce in Fairfax, Missouri. They became the parents of two daughters, Roseann and Stacy and made their home in Oregon and Fairfax. In 1984, the family moved to Tarkio where they live until the present time.
Gary dedicated much of his life to serving others through various roles. He worked as a Sales Manager for Tarkio Equipment and found great fulfillment as a Paraprofessional and school bus driver for the Tarkio R-1 School District. Later in life, Gary combined his love for travel with work, driving a charter bus across the United States. He cherished camping trips to Branson and Big Lake, Missouri, and was a devoted supporter of his wife, Sid, enthusiastically following her music career. Above all, Gary treasured the time spent with his grandchildren and his beloved fur baby, Sawyer. He passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Rock Port, Missouri, at the age of 88.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Keith Nemyer. Survivors include wife, Sid Cooper, Tarkio; daughters, Roseann Nemyer, Fairfax, and Stacy (Clint) Hughes, Rock Port; grandchildren, Keison and Keifer Nemyer, Jase and Kyler Hughes, bonus grandchildren, Dr. Sonya (Justin) Addison, and Sabrina (Loren) Booth; great granddaughter, Syrianna Sabella Nemyer, bonus great grandsons, Jake and Alex Addison.
Celebration of Life: 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
Open visitation begins 9:00 A.M., Monday, June 30, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:30 A.M., Tuesday, prior to the service.
Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Memorials: Backpack Buddies of Atchison County.
Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
