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Clarence Edward Cooper

Dec 18, 1944 - May 07, 2026

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.    

 

To share a memory of Clarence or leave a special message for his family, please click “Send Condolences” below.  Friends and family are also welcome to upload a favorite photo or two.
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Services

Additional Service: Memorial Service
Location: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
Address: 9100 Mission Road
City: Prairie Village
State: Kansas
Zip Code: 66206
Date of Service: May 30, 2026
Time of Service: 11:00AM
Additional Information:

 If you would like to request a Zoom link to watch the service online, please contact Katie at worship@lcrpv.org. 
Google Map: Click Here to see Location on Map
Additional Service: Visitation
Location: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
Address: 9100 Mission Road
City: Prairie Village
State: Kansas
Zip Code: 66206
Date of Service: May 30, 2026
Time of Service: 10:30AM
Additional Information:

Visitation will be at 10:30 at the church followed by a luncheon after the service.
Google Map: Click Here to see Location on Map

Condolences

Wendy Jackson May 25, 2026

family friend ,Ukiah

Clarence always seemed like a gentle soul to me. In the midst of many a family reunion, with relatives swirling all around, Clarence could be found quietly holding his own in some part of the house or yard that was a little bit less busy. He also exhibited patience when things didn’t work out the way he imagined. His hope was that he would be grandpa to many more grandchildren. Years ago I watched him tenderly sit alongside one of Lois and Colin’s grandkids as that little toddler tried to weave herself along the bottom rail and balustrades of a deck railing in their home. He talked softly and sweetly and held his arms out, ready to catch her if she fell. No one else was around, and he didn’t see me. It was one of the nicest scenes I remember from that time. Clarence's obituary mentions that he was a farmer at heart. One of the family reunions in Nebraska was at the little farm Clarence and Liz had out in the country outside Lincoln. Clarence had managed to round up enough bicycles for all of us to use while we visited. He also gathered enough canoes to hold family canoe races at a nearby lake. I remember that in Australia, Clarence preferred going to a genuine country "watering hole" instead of going to most of the local “must see” attractions, so he could experience the local color. Buying an Aussie beer was just an added benefit. Elizabeth had to call Clarence at home many a time when she got lost in her car. Clarence kept on getting her home, one direction and turn after another. That never seemed to wear on him, or her. That was just them. And most of all, a person could easily see how he truly loved Elizabeth and their kids, Angie, Thomas, and Luisa. His family was his life. There really wasn’t anything more important than that. The loss you all have sustained is profound. I send my love to you all, and my gratitude that I knew your wonderful husband and father.

Lois Randall May 29, 2026

Brother-in-law ,Caboolture

To dear Angie, Adrian, Thomas and my lovely sister, Clarence was a trustful, straight-forward, authentic and gracious brother-in-law. He was a fine dad and precious husband. He will be greatly missed by all who knew Clarence. I send my love to you all as you deal with the loss of this kind person.

Nick Randall May 30, 2026

Nephew ,Hamburg, Germany

Uncle Clarence. Growing up in Australia, over the years, we had a lot of trips to see our family in the USA. We had a lot of trips to Nebraska, or Kansas City, visiting our Grandparents, and our Uncles and Aunts, including Aunt Liz and Uncle Clarence. As a child I experienced Uncle Clarence (or Uncle Cookie as we later called him) as a patient and loving uncle that seemed to enjoy having us kids around to play with our cousins. As I got older and was questioning things and developing my own ideas about the world, one thing I always really enjoyed was hearing Uncle Cookie’s opinions and perspectives on things. In my early 20s I was very idealistic and upset about the inequality and poverty in the world. I talked to Clarence about this, saying it would be better if I had been born poor and without this privilege of having money to buy all these things. Clarence’s simple answer: “I used to be poor, and I didn’t like it” I never forgot this, as it had a kind of wisdom and life experience that brought me back to earth. I have had other experiences like this, where a few wise words from Uncle Clarence brought the perspective back to the simple, grounded truth. That was the thing about Cookie, every conversation I had with him felt like I was getting to hear something special. Humorous, generous and sweet, that is how I think about Uncle Clarence. Love Nick