Frank Gene Cooper
April 10, 1930 – March 6, 2020
OVERBROOK — Frank Gene Cooper, Harveyville, died Friday, March 6, 2020, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook. He was 89.
He was born April 10, 1930, in Harveyville, the son of John Henry and France Mae Pryor Cooper. He served in U.S. Army, but was discharge for family hardship. He returned to help his family.
He married Pat Mooney and they later divorced. To this union, a daughter, Judy, was born. He then married Reba Lee Murphey, Dec. 24, 1954, in Jasper, Mo. She survives. To this union, two children were born, Donna and John.
Frank lived in Jasper, Mo., Kansas City, Eskridge and for the last 29 years near Harveyville. He was an over the road truck driver and had plenty of stories to tell of his adventures. His hobbies when not trucking included auctions and telling stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Eureva Montgomery and Doris Janette; and a brother, Richard “Dick” Cooper.
Besides his wife, he will be forever remembered by two daughters, Judy Louise Broughton and husband, Robert, Independence, Mo., and Donna Smallwood and husband, Buddy, Harveyville; a son, John Douglas Cooper, Harveyville; a sister, June Williams and a brother, Jim Cooper, both of Surprise, Ariz.; six grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, at Harveyville United Methodist Church, Harveyville. Family will receive friends 9 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow service at Eskridge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or Arthritis Research Center, Inc. and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 338, Eskridge, KS 66423.
Condolences may be expressed at Vanarsdalefs.com.
