Craig A. Cooper

Craig Allan Cooper died August 8, 2022, peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. Craig was born October 3, 1949, to Lois June and William Joel Cooper at the Strong City Stubenhofer mid-wife house. The family lived on Diamond Creek and he attended Elmdale Grade School and later Chase County Community High School. He graduated in 1967 and went on to Kansas State Teacher’s College (now Emporia State University). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Agriculture in 1972. He took a position with Citizen’s National Bank in Emporia in the Agriculture Loan Department. He quickly realized that wearing a tie to work every day was not for him! He soon joined his father Bill, in a farming venture that would go on 50+ years. Craig loved every aspect of the farming and ranching lifestyle. He enjoyed working with hogs and cattle and farmed wheat and soybeans.

He married Sheila Jean Phipps on June 13, 1970, and they had 2 daughters, Lisa Ann and Julie Ann. One of his favorite things was watching his girls play sports and offering a lot of coaching in the car after the game. Craig was proud of the fact that he helped build the Cottonwood Falls Country Club and enjoyed working with his fellow craftsmen. He spent any time he could out at the golf course with his good friends.

Craig is survived by: wife, Sheila; daughter, Lisa Armstrong and husband Greg of Argyle, TX; daughter, Julie Lockmiller and husband Marcus of rural Elmdale; four grandchildren, CeCe Lockmiller and Zach, Cooper and Nolan Armstrong, whom Craig loved deeply. Also surviving is his brother, David Cooper of Bazaar; half-brother, Brian Cooper of Topeka; step-sister, Jane Johnson of Emporia and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents and beloved cousin/best friend, Gene Ayers.

Cremation will take place.

Celebration of life gathering will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at Bazaar Schoolhouse. Family is requesting casual attire. Private family service will be held. Memorial donations may be made to Cottonwood Falls Country Club or Hand-in-Hand Hospice, in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home PO Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.

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