Kenneth Dale Cooper

Kenneth Dale Cooper

June 27, 1953 – August 5, 2026

Kenneth Dale Cooper lived a full life—one built on hard work, character, faith, and an unwavering love for his family. He had a successful career, earned the respect of those around him, and made friendships that lasted a lifetime. But of everything he accomplished, nothing made him prouder than the family he built and the people he loved.

Kenny was born June 27, 1953, to Clarence Cooper and Barbara (Gilmore) Cooper Moore. He spent his early years in Haysville, Kansas, before moving to Skiatook, Oklahoma, where he graduated with the Class of 1971. He attended Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University before beginning a 33-year career with Southwestern Bell/AT&T in 1975. He made many lifelong friends and especially enjoyed his years as Manager of Construction before retiring in 2008.

On August 7, 1976, Kenny married Barbara Hart. Together they raised their two sons, Ryan and Kelly, and built 50 years of life and memories together. Kenny passed away on August 5, 2026, just two days before he and Barbara would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Kenny showed up for his boys. He supported Ryan and Kelly through school and all of their activities and coached both through years of Little League baseball and football. With Barbara loving life as a sports mom, ball fields became a second home for the Cooper family.

Back then, they probably just felt like ball games.

Today, we know they were some of the best days of our lives.

Kenny also shared his love of hunting and fishing with Ryan and Kelly. Somewhere between early mornings on the lake and cold days in the woods, his sons were taught lessons that had very little to do with catching fish or filling a tag.

Work hard. Be responsible. Take care of your family. Get back up when life knocks you down. Appreciate the people beside you. And above all, do the right thing.

Kenny was a man of character and integrity. He didn't just talk about those values—he lived them, and he passed them on to his sons.

Then came a title he had waited a long time to earn:

Papa.

On his 60th birthday, Kenny learned he was finally going to be a PaPa. His grandchildren—Jace, Faith, Ellie, Hadley, and bonus granddaughter Emmy—brought an entirely new kind of joy to his life.

And when cancer came, they became part of his reason to fight.

Kenny fought hard because he had so much worth fighting for: more time with Barbara, more time with Ryan and Kelly and their families, more ball games, more family gatherings, and more time watching his grandchildren grow.

But cancer does not get to define Kenny Cooper's story.

His story is bigger than cancer.

It is about family and faith.

Kenny was a member of First Baptist Church of Skiatook and later First Southern Baptist Church of Vera, Oklahoma. More importantly, Kenny knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and he wanted the people he loved to know Him too.

Because of that faith, his family grieves deeply, but not without hope. We believe August 5th was not the end of our husband, dad, and Papa’s story.

It was his homecoming.

Kenny is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Cooper; his son Ryan Cooper and wife Tiffani, and their children Jace and Faith; his son Kelly Cooper and wife Aimee, and their children Ellie and Hadley, and bonus granddaughter Emmy Fowler.

He is also survived by his special nephew, Brian Mackey and wife Ashley, and their children Skyler, Nicole, and Savannah and her husband Trey; his brother Mike Cooper and wife Jill; stepsister Karen Hutson and husband Bruce; brother David Cooper and wife Lorrie; sister-in-law Kathleen Jones and husband Merle; brother-in-law Sam Hart and wife Lisa.

Kenny also dearly loved his niece and nephews, Mike, Angie, Jeff, Joe, J.B., Robert, Keith, Scott, Brent, and Bryan; and his loving aunts, Mary Overton, Madeline Gilmore, and Nilda Reyes.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Cooper and Barbara Moore; his stepfather, Harold Moore; his mother- and father-in-law, Janice Sue and Harold Ray Hart; his brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Susie Cooper and his nephew, Dustin Cooper.

Pallbearers

Ryan Cooper, Kelly Cooper, Brian Mackey, Jace Cooper, Jeff Cooper, Mike A. Cooper, and Skyler Mackey

Honorary Pallbearers

Mike G. Cooper, Sam Hart, Merle Jones, Bruce Hutson, Jack Antle, Chuck Clabaugh, Dennis Donnelly, Richard Hicks, Randy McDonald, Jack Scott, and the late Terry Madden

Special Thanks

Dr. Caleb Scheckel and Oklahoma Cancer Specialist and Research Cancer Team, Dr Adam Asch and OU Stephenson Cancer Center, OKC, and John O’Brien, Kristin Dyson and Staff of Cura Hospice