Darrell Cooper

Jack "Darrell" Cooper was born July 15, 1950, in Gainesville, Missouri, to Lloyd and Erma (Friend) Cooper and passed away September 24, 2026, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, with his loved ones by his side.

Darrell grew up in Thornfield, Missouri, where he knew every hill and holler in Ozark County. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1968.

Darrell loved bluegrass music. He could play any stringed instrument put in his hands. Many stories have been told of Darrell, Harold, his brothers-in-law, and close friend, Gary Herd, hunting and fishing and the mischief they got into. There was never a dull moment when they were together. The stories have been told many times and they never get old, just better.

Darrell was known for many things, but the things that stand out most were his precise shot, giving the shirt off his back to help, the large, beautiful garden he made every year, his wit, and the ability to aggravate anybody he really liked.

Darrell married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Proctor, on August 11, 1972, in Drury, Missouri. They spent 51 glorious years together before her passing on September 12, 2023. Together they walked many miles hunting, fishing, looking for mushrooms, shed horns, arrowheads, deer signs, and Barb's favorite, rocks. We've all helped carry those special rocks she wanted to take home.

Darrell is also known for being a “jack of all trades.” In his younger years he worked construction, laying block and brick, concrete, and carpentry. He later worked for Fordick, Town & Country Supermarket, Tindels, Cargill, and ended his career by retiring from Richard Brothers Feed Mill. After he retired, his daughter-in-law kept him busy with "fun" projects. Then he decided it was time to just enjoy watching his grandkids grow and make memories. That was done by hunting, fishing, side by side rides, and watching cartwheels. Darrell loved watching his grandson, Hayden, play football and baseball. He also loved watching his granddaughter, Ella, cheer and play baseball. His grandkids were the light of his life..."His Best Buddies!", and "without a doubt" he knew how much they loved him.

Besides his parents and wife, Darrell was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Vassel and Ruby Proctor; his sisters, Mona Foster and husband, Baxter, and Norma Lee Steele and husband, Bob; his brother, Harold Cooper; brother-in-law, Gary Proctor; and sister-in-law, Kate Proctor.

Darrell is survived by his daughter, Pam Doan and husband, Marlon, of Cabool, Missouri; son, Tommy Cooper and wife, Vanilyn, of Mountain Grove; very special grandchildren, Hayden and Ella Cooper; sisters, Pauline Adkisson and husband, Tom, of Springfield, Missouri, Imogene Pierce and husband, Gene, of Lebanon, Missouri, Sue Murphy and husband, Dwain, of Mountain Grove; sister-in-law, Pam Cooper of Thornfield; brothers-in-law, Frank Proctor and wife, Freda, of Warsaw, Missouri, and Pete Proctor of Mountain Grove; and many special nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to Denlow Cemetery or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.