Obituary

Charles D. Cooper

Obituary

Charles D. Cooper, 83, of Newton, died following a short illness on Monday (Nov. 17, 2014) at Newton Medical Center.

He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Loren T. Cooper and Lela Cooper. The family lived in southeast Kansas and Wichita before moving to Newton when Charles was 9 years old. He entered the Newton school system and graduated from Newton High School.

Charles enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he taught instrument flying to jet fighters during the Korean War.

Charles married Ruth Andrews in October 1955. He attended Bethel College and Wichita State.

He has been fascinated by railroad trains since he was 3 years old. With permission of his parents, he began working for the Santa Fe Railroad, laying tracks when he was 15 years old. He hired out as a steam locomotive fireman and worked up the ranks to full locomotive engineer on diesels, running freight and Amtrack trains for a record breaking no personal accidents for 49 years. Since his retirement, he has been happily busy with many hobbies and interests.

Charles was a member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Newton, the V.F.W., a 50-year member of the Newton Masonic Lodge, Wichita Scottish Rite and Midian Shrine.

He was an extraordinarily kind, generous, caring, compassionate man who behaved as if God in all life mattered.

Charles is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 59 years; one brother, Tom Cooper of Newton; and five remarkable nephews, Larry Cooper of Longmont, Colorado, Colton Cooper of Goessel, Jason Cooper of Newton, Weston Cooper of Wichita, and Cameron Cooper of Houston, Texas, with their wives and children.

Cremation has taken place.

A celebration of Charles D. Cooper's life will be on St. Nicholas of Myra Feast Day, Saturday (Dec. 6, 2014). Services will be at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Newton, with a reception to follow the service. His ashes will be placed in his niche in St. Matthew's Chapel Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Matthew's Payee Program "Client Needs Fund." Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.

Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.