Gary Cooper, born on July 31, 1942, in St. Francis, Kansas, passed away on November 26, 2024, at the age of 82. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Gary had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling stories around the dinner table and making everyone laugh. He had a love of farming, horses, rodeos and writing poetry. He served on the Cheyenne County Fair Board for 13 years, and could be heard announcing horse shows, rodeos, roping jackpots, Gymkhanas, and parades. He hosted the Cheyenne County Trail Ride every October with donations going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Even though Gary tended to faint at the sight of blood, he donated just under eight gallons of blood to the American Red Cross.

He married Bonnie Williams on August 2, 1964, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2024. Gary worked at the St. Francis Equity and then he and Bonnie purchased the NAPA Auto Parts Store in 1971 and owned and operated it for 17 years. After selling the NAPA Auto Parts Store, Gary went to work for Cheyenne County Noxious Weed Department, and ended his working years at John Deere Implement as a salesman.

Gary is survived by his wife, Bonnie; their children Greg Cooper and his wife JaNan of St. Francis; Kathy Landwehr and her husband, Frank of Emporia, KS; grandchildren, Gavin Cooper and wife Bailey of St. Francis; Jake Owens, Emporia, KS; Gaten Cooper and wife Ashley of St. Francis; Luke Owens and fiancé Sadie of Gardner, KS; Garin Cooper of St. Franics; Lati Yeargin of Hawaii; Tucker Landwehr of Lawrence, KS; Colby Landwehr of Ottawa, KS; Megan Bayliff and husband Garrett of Stillwater, OK; and great-grandchildren Graham and Jemma Cooper; Maisie Cooper all of St. Francis; Remington, Cam and Brooks Bayliff of Stillwater, OK; and sister Margaret Bucholtz and husband Kurt, of Wichita, KS. He was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by grandparents, James and Alma Cooper; parents, Albert and Dolorus Cooper.

Please send any memorials to Gary Cooper Memorial Fund at Knodel Funeral Home, PO Box 606, St. Francis, Kansas 67756. The family is determining where the funds will be allocated within the community.

Gary's friendly smile and quick-witted sense of humor will be missed by all that knew him.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in St. Francis, KS.