Norris Cooper
Cooper, Norris, 57, cattle rancher, died Sunday, August 10, 2008. Viewing will be 1:00 ~ 9:00 P.M., Thursday, August 14, Downing Lahey Mortuary East. A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 16, Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Preceded in death by son, Norris Tyler Cooper and parents, Lestal and Susanne Cooper. Survivors: wife, Shelley (Farmer) Cooper; son, Cory Allen and daughter-in-law, Megan Cooper of Midland, TX; daughter, Carly Susanne Cooper of Scottsdale, AZ; sister, Sarah and husband, Bruce Cooper of Cedarvale, KS; brother-in-law, Barry Farmer (Gayle) of Muskogee, OK; several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1653, Topeka, KS, 66601 and Eastminster Missions, 1958 N. Webb, Wichita, KS, 67206.
Viewing will be 1:00 ~ 9:00 P.M., Thursday, August 14, Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
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I was shocked to receive the news of Norris’ death (via e-mail from Wichita) here where I am vacationing with my wife in Sweden. It is not the kind of news that I wish to receive! To this day, I associate Norris with some of the best days of my childhood, fishing on the family’s ranch in the Flint Hills, near Latham. I remember the seemingly endless days, and Norris always catching fish–somewhere! Of course, he was older than me, and where he took the farm truck, and came back from toting the biggest fish of the day, was usually a bit of secret. But sometimes he took us younger fans to ‘his’ pond with him. I never caught so many, or so large, fish as he, but I knew that it was special that I got to accompany him to ‘his’ pond, or special hole on the creek, at all. To me, at least, he seemed to have followed in his father’s footsteps, and grew to be what I imagine Les had been like as a younger man (and that was good, in every way that I ever knew Les). I didn’t see Norris much in recent years, but I rather kept track of him through my mother and his sister, Sarah. He was a part of my childhood, and in the background in my adult life, and I know that he will be missed by many. I’m sorry to be writing his tribute in this way. I’m glad to have known him.
I am very sad to hear of Norris’s passing. although I haven’t seen him in quite a number of years I always considered him a friend and he will be missed. My prayers are with the family. Mike Choens
Dear Shelley, I was so sorry to read of Norris’ death. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. As I learned after I lost my husband, Tom, take one day at a time, cherish your memories and be good to yourself. Your journey will bring peace, the sun will shine again and Norris will always be in your heart. Sincerely, Susan Ensz
Julie and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to you in this difficult time. We fondly remember the years as neighbors and the friendship that developed. We watched your ‘kids’ grow to be mature and responsible adults and that was a testiment to the qualities that you and Norris possessed. I always enjoyed the times Norris and I had talking out in the driveway while he washed his latest motorcycle and I’m sure Norris and Waldo are no doubt on their daily run.
To the Cooper family, Randy and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to you at this time. We were very sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your entire family.
Dear Sarah and Family, You may not even remember me, but you and I were in Sunday School together back at Dellrose and my parents, Carl and Anne Guinty were also in Les and Sue’s class. If I remember correctly your mom and mine taught 3rd grade Sunday School together for a few years. I didn’t know Norris very well because he was ‘so much’ older than we were (funny how time changes perspective on that). At any rate, I foldly remember the Sunday School picnics at the ranch and other times as well. Lovely childhood memories. I am so sorry for your loss…you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Cathy Guinty Burk
Although Bruce is the only member of the family I know personally my deepest sympathy goes out to the entire Cooper family. May you find strength at this most difficult time.
The Air Force brought me to Wichita in late ’86 and within a couple of days I’d met Norris and Ron Garcia on a visit to Ron’s motorcycle shop. They were the first civilian friends I made here. I eventually owned a couple of Norris’ Moto Guzzis, and we tinkered with them and others at the shop. Norris showed me the good roads. We talked about airplanes, grumbled lightly about politics, and laughed often at just about everything. For over 20 years, we’ve been part of a good group of friends and riders that meets for lunch on Saturdays. I will certainly miss him, as will we all.
Dear Shelley and family, We are so sorry to learn of your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Norris was a great leader and a great Christian in every sense of the word. We will miss him. Best Regards, Cheri and Kelly Bonnell
Dear Mrs. Cooper, My husband wanted me to let you know how much he liked, respected and enjoyed visiting with your husband. Mark was the General Manager at Parks Motors and has sold Norris Dodge vehicles. We both are so sorry for your loss. Words are inadaquate but we wanted you to know that we care. Mark and Sheila Robbins Zeller Motor Company Arkansas City, KS
In your time of sadness thoughts of heartfelt sympathy are with you and your family. May you find peace in the promise of (Ps.34:18) Almighty God and may the memories held deep within your heart also help to soothe you during this difficult time.
August 13, 2008 Norris, the adorable boy with starlight in his eyes…just like his father, who affectionately called him ‘Nod.’ The Coopers lived down the street on Laurel Drive in Forest Hills and were like family to my parents, my three big sisters and me. I can’t remember not ever knowing Norris. He is part of my earliest…and best memories. From an early age, Norris was a great competitive swimmer on the Forest Hills Swim Team…and proudly displayed his ribbons on the OUTSIDE of his bedroom door for all to see! By the time we were in high school and college together, Norris would take me driving or flying. I’ll always remember when Norris got his dark green Mustang…the neatest car anybody had, and it took off like a jet. I felt as if I were riding with Steve McQueen in ‘Bullitt.’ Norris was just that cool and collected at the wheel. On one particular afternoon of flying with Norris somewhere over the Latham ranch, he decided to demonstrate g-force…always trying to get a rise out of me. He succeeded that time when my door flew open as he was making a fairly steep descent. I never saw Norris move so fast as when he reached across me and fought with that door to pull it shut. If our mothers had only known! Norris had many of the wonderful qualities of both Susie and Les…a kind and gentle nature, an adventurous spirit, the unassuming charm, the infectious laugh. He was as natural behind the wheel of a car or the controls of a plane as his parents were on horseback. And he shared their love of the Latham ranch. When we were in college, Norris told me about his dream of living there someday, flying in and out from the landing strip all of us kids helped clear many years before. He showed me the place he had chosen to build his house. It was the closest thing to heaven on earth I have ever seen. That is where I envision him now…in God’s country, the sparkle in his eyes, the wind of the Flint Hills in his hair. Margaret Langston Litan Fairway, Kansas
I was very sorry to hear of Norris’s passing. My kindest thoughts and prayers go to his family. I had not seen him in many years. We met in 1971 at Piper Airpark (Jabara Now) where we both enjoyed aircraft and fast muscle cars. At the time he had a dk green 71 Mach One Mustang which he demonstrated to me could go at least 140 MPH out on far East Central, then in the country. I also got to know Les some and back then met Sara and Suzanne, a very nice family. May god bless you all.
Dearest Shelley and kids. You are in our prayers as you work through this difficult time. You know you mean so much to us, we shared a special 6 years back in the ’80’s as we grew closer to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ together. We love you, Bob and Brenda Gilbert