Richard L. ‘Dick’ Cooper, 81, died December 13, 2019, at Legend of Hutchinson. He was born February 20, 1938, in Kansas City, MO, to Marvin ‘Bub’ and Hester (Van Hook) Cooper.
Dick graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1955 and Emporia State University, where he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. He served in the United States Army from January 1961 to December 1962. Dick, or ‘Coop’ as he was known by many, was President of Cooper Tire Service after becoming the sole owner in 1986. Today, he owns Cooper Tire Service, along with his son, Craig. Dick had a keen business sense, and still enjoyed helping out at the tire store every opportunity he could.
Dick was a founding member and former president of MATDA (Mid-America Tire Dealers Association). In addition, Dick served on several boards, including MATDA, the Hutchinson Town Club, Prairie Dunes Country Club, and was a member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68. In his spare time, Dick enjoyed playing solitaire, golfing, cards, reading, and visiting. He loved to travel, never knew a stranger, and no matter how far away he and his family traveled, he always ran into someone he knew.
On August 23, 1963, he married Marcia Grokett at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas.
Dick is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Marcia; son, Craig Cooper and wife Trisha; grandchildren, Colin, Mason, Callie, and Marlie Cooper; sister, Linda Zenor and husband Larry; nieces and nephews, Andy Cooper and wife Ann, Stacie Williams and husband Sean, Becky Sutton and husband Tim, and Beth Boxwell and husband Brent; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and his extended Cooper Tire and Willowbrook family.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; son, Curt Allen Cooper; brother, Dave Cooper; and sister-in-law, Jane Cooper.
Celebration of Life will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 North Main, Hutchinson, with The Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.