Boyd John Cooper

Boyd John Cooper was born January 27, 1921, in Muscotah, Kansas, to proud parents George Logan Cooper and Iva Faye (Liggett) Cooper. The youngest of seven brothers and sisters, Boyd was preceded in death by his siblings, Lyle Robert Cooper, Lawrence George Cooper, William Cooper, Alfred Cooper, and Irene A. Wilson. He is survived by one sister, Thelma Velvetta Tate. At the age of eight, Boyd was stricken with osteomylitis. He was bedfast for a whole year, and the doctor considered amputating his legs, but Boyd pulled through and grew up to have a normal childhood, graduating from Muscotah High School in theclass of 1939. Boyd married Wilma Louise (Davidson) Cooper on June 22, 1941, in Horton, Kansas. They met one day when Boyd's car had gotten stuck in a snow bank. He was trudging home through the snow when Wilma and her date saw him and offered him a ride to town. With three crowded into the car, Wilma had to sit on Boyd's lap the whole way. From that chance meeting a great love blossomed. Boyd and Wilma were blessed with a lovely daughter, Joyce Elaine Pennala. Boyd also had a number of grandsons, Bret A. Baldwin, Barry B. Baldwin, Blaine C. Baldwin, and Bart D. Baldwin, as well as a great grandson, Logan Stricker. He gave them lots of advice and shared his wisdom and passion for life with them. Boyd worked for Allis-Chalmers selling farm machinery for thirty-one years. He retired in 1976. Throughout his career, he earned great accolades and was named among the top twenty salesmen in the U.S. Every day he would travel to the dealers in his territory, and he was always quick to lend a hand or to tell a funny story. He was a member of the Congregational Church at Muscotah; past member of Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Independence, Missouri; and, current member of Ottawa Lodge #803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, since 1960. Boyd was a great huntsman throughout his life. He grew up shooting squirrels and later he enjoyed hunting quail and pheasant. His best buddy in all his adventures was Tony Van Leiden. They hunted and fished together, rode mopeds, and just liked to sit and drink coffee and tell stories, like the time they got forty-five pheasants on the first day of hunting. Boyd was a great storyteller. He had all kinds of tales from his childhood on the farm, as well as all the funny things he saw and did while driving the school bus and selling farm machinery. Boyd believed in God. His favorite song was 'When The Saints Go Marching In.' After enduring the pain of the last few years, he was ready to go on and be with the Lord, which he did on September 20, 2002 at the age of eighty-one years. In keeping with the good-natured storyteller that he was, Boyd would want everyone who knew and loved him to celebrate his life, rather than dwelling only on the sadness of his passing. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2002. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. William Weber. IN STATE: Mr. Cooper will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 5:00 p.m. Sunday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Monday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.