Clarence Edward Cooper aka Mr. Cooper, Uncle Cookie, and Smiley, 81, of Olathe, KS passed away on May 7, 2026, at Crestone Senior Living Memory Care in Olathe.
Clarence was born on December 18,1944, in Sidon, AR to Eugene and Elmira (Hobbs) Cooper. He graduated from Searcy High School in Searcy, AR before joining the United States Air Force where he served as an Airman First Class and Radar Operator for four years. He met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Liz) Wolff, while stationed in Hastings, NE whom he married on September 9, 1967, in Lincoln, NE.
Following his service in the Air Force, Clarence received a degree in Elementary Education from Park College in Parkville, MO which led to a variety of jobs ranging from an elementary math and science teacher in Syracuse, NE to an electronics instructor at Gateway Electronics in Omaha, NE. After several years as a teacher, he transitioned to working as a Driver’s License Examiner for the State of Nebraska in various cities throughout the state. He was appointed an honorary Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska upon his retirement in 2010.
Despite his professional jobs, Clarence was a farmer at heart. He found great joy in working outdoors on his tractor and raising goats, pigs, and small horses. In retirement, he proudly displayed the antique tools and farm implements he had used throughout the years, each one holding memories of hard work and simpler times. He also loved Country-Western music, and when his children were young, he enjoyed playing guitar for them, skillfully playing songs by ear.
Above all, Clarence deeply loved his family and treasured the time they spent together. He modeled the importance of education and treating others with kindness and respect. He believed learning continued beyond the home and classroom and valued opportunities to travel with his family throughout the United States and several countries abroad, visiting family and creating memories. He took great pride in providing for those he loved and created many lasting memories through both his words and actions.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, loving daughter Luisa Marie Cooper, brothers Howard (Joyce) Cooper and Allen (Wanda) Cooper, and sister Dorothy Cooper.
He is survived by his loving family: wife Elizabeth Cooper, daughter Angie (Adrian) Walker, son Thomas LyThanh Cooper, granddaughter Zyhmia Wagy and great-grandsons Dante Lopez and Zaylen Garcia. He is also survived by his brother George Cooper, sister-in-law Lois (Colin) Randall, brothers-in-law Sam (Cindy) Wolff and Marty Wolff, and multiple beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cherished friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on May 30, 2026, at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection at 9100 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66206. Visitation will be at 10:30 at the church followed by a luncheon after the service. If you would like to request a Zoom link to watch the service online, please contact Katie at worship@lcrpv.org. A private burial will be held at a later date in Nebraska.
Memorial donations may be made to Metro Lutheran Ministry at Donate to Metro Lutheran Ministry - Metro Lutheran Ministry in memory of Clarence or another organization supporting those in need.
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