Harold Cooper

Rev. Harold Patrick Cooper was born in Republic County, Kansas, on July 21, 1935, the son of William (Bill) and Elizabeth (Lucile) Morley Cooper. He passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024 at the age of 88. He is preceded in death by his wife Jane Cooper. He is survived by his three children: Carolyn Trinkle, husband Steve of Todd, North Carolina, and their children, Matt and Sarah; David Cooper, wife Joy of Shawnee, Kansas, and their children Kathryn and MaKenzie; and Mary Yu, husband Michael of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and their children, Isabel and Bethany.

Harold attended Scandia High School. He graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas in 1959. He continued his education at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern in Evanston, IL, and was granted a Master of Divinity in 1962. While in seminary, he worked with the National Board of Evangelism in Boston and the Christian Ministry in the National Parks (The Grand Tetons and the Everglades).

Following graduation, he married Jane on November 21,1962. He was the Pastor of the Methodist Star Parish of Spivey, Zenda, Murdock, and Cleveland. Together Harold and Jane established a new congregation at Trinity United Methodist Church (UMC) in Great Bend. Harold served as the Senior Pastor of Wichita Pleasant Valley UMC, First UMC of Pratt and First UMC in Dodge City where he retired in 1997. After retiring, he and Jane moved to Wichita and spent time enjoying friends and travel. They became active members of College Hill UMC. After Jane’s passing, Harold worked part time at Calvary UMC as the Visitation Pastor and became part of the Larksfield Place community.

Throughout his years as a professional, Harold was active in the Lions Club and the Rotary Club where he served as president from 1996-97 and regularly played the piano for meetings. He and Jane were avid bridge players who enjoyed playing socially. Harold was musically inclined and could often be found playing the pipe organ in the church sanctuary. He had a gift for starting conversations and was always making efforts to know people and their stories. Harold will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and a faithful servant of God.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church in Wichita, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to United Methodist Open Door in Wichita, KS United Methodist Open Door – Food, Clothing, & Shelter in Wichita, Kansas (umopendoor.org). Mailing address: P.O. Box 2756, Wichita, KS 67201-2756