Gene Cooper, son of the late M. L. Cooper and Lula Moore Cooper, was born on July 23, 1934, in Stoddard County, Missouri, and departed this life on March 3, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Stoddard in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 89 years.

Mr. Cooper was a Veteran of the United States Army. He had worked in the tree service industry in the state of Washington. He was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri and was a resident of Dexter.

He was first united in marriage to Betty Zimmerman. Mrs. Betty Cooper preceded him in death in 1953. In 1965, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Olson. Mrs. Dorothy Cooper preceded him in death on March 27, 2001.

He is survived by his brother, Kenneth Cooper of Dexter, Missouri; by his sister, Joann Bowman of Bernie, Missouri; by his daughter, Sandra McCoy of Spanaway, Washington, by his grandchildren, Anthony Cooper of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Dawn Ramsey (Fred) and their children, Jesse and Bailey of Tacoma, Washington, Angela McCoy and her daughter, Samantha of Spanaway, Washington, Larry McCoy of Spanaway Washington, and Alicia Dawley and her children of Kansas; by several nieces and nephews; and by other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Steve Cooper, and Mike Olson; by his grandson, Jeremy Cooper; by his daughter, Barbara Dawley; and by three brothers, Marcus Cooper, Jim Cooper, and Jackie Cooper.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.