Lestal Cooper
Cooper, Lestal, 88, cattle rancher, died Saturday, September 9, 2006. Service 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Preceded in death by sisters, Erma Cooper Summers and Georgie Cooper Lambie. Survivors; wife, Frances of Wichita; son, Norris Cooper (Shelley) of Wichita; daughter, Sarah Cooper (Bruce) of Cedar Vale, KS; step-daughter, Jane Hack (Jacob), Las Vegas, NV; brother, Jack Cooper (Barbara), Lees Summit, MO; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with the American Heart Association P.O. Box 1653 Topeka, KS 66601-1653. Downing Lahey East Mortuary.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Sarah and Norris, I appreciate having known your dad. Les is responsible for a lot of my positive feelings about Kansas. The memories of the ranch by Latham, although long ago changed by real life, remain vivid and wonderful in my memoory. Those memories are those of a young boy who anticipated the barbeque of the Dellrose Sunday school class at the ranch every summer with great enthusiasm and joy. The memories of fishing in the creek, being driven to out-lying ponds to catch either bass or catfish (depending on what I desired to fish for on the day of the picnic) in the old red (I think) Chevy truck, with Les at the wheel are truly dear ones. Those memories are a part of me, and who I am today, and I have Les to thank for those. I probably never told him that while he was alive, and I should have, but at least you will know (and probably already knew anyway) how those early trips to the Flint Hills, and to your father’s ranch, influenced me, both as a child, and yet today. I will think of Les whenever I see the Flint Hills, or cattle grazing on expansive grasslands anywhere. No ‘value’ can be put on those memories, but Les is very much a part of a very special time of my life, and his graciousness and joy in sharing the pleasure that he took in the ranch was obvious to me from my very early years. In short, I am very glad to have known your father, and he contributed to the quality of my own life to a really significant degree. Now that he is gone, just know that his being here made Kansas a better place for at least one little boy in the 1960’s and for many years later. He had a positive influence on my life, and not everyone leaves such a legacy. The world (and certainly Kansas!) is better for his having been here. What more can we ask of life than to have a positive impact, as he did?
Sarah, Bruce, Adam and Faith, We are so sorry for your loss. We will be praying for your comfort. Draw close to Jesus. Brad and Melodi Bowen Psalm 46:1-2
Jack and family, We know there has to be lots of sadness to see your brother’s life come to an end. Please know others are thinking of you and your relatives at this time. May good memories and the comfort of your faith and friends bring you solace. Sincerely, Carol and Gordon
Sarah…I am heartbroken for you at the loss of your dad. He was such a gentle man. I will never forget his quiet humor and kind and steady demeanor. Some of the best memories of my life were spent with you guys and the Cresses, fishing with you and your family. Les is up there fishing with Al Cress now. I pray for peace in your heart. Let me know if I can do anything for you. 316-841-3123
Thinking of you. Cooper Marie still has the bear you sent the day she was born.