Clarence Cooper

Funeral services for Clarence Cooper will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 26, 2006 at Stevenson Funeral Home with Father Cliff Jacobsen officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at Stevenson Funeral Home. Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota on Friday, May 26, 2006.Clarence Cooper, age 86, of Gillette, Wyoming passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home.Clarence was born on January 1, 1920 in Lebanon, South Dakota to Louis and Mary (Schumacher) Cooper. Clarence grew up and worked various jobs including farming until he was drafted into the United States Army. Before being drafted Clarence met Agnes Gordon while roller skating in Onida, South Dakota, and they started courting. On April 30, 1942 they were married in Gettysburg, South Dakota. After seven months of marriage Clarence left for the Army and was sent to India. After three years of service Clarence returned to South Dakota and worked on a farm for one summer. In the fall of 1946 he moved his family to Gettysburg, South Dakota and worked for the South Dakota D.O.T. for 38 years. In 1984 Clarence retired and worked during his summers and the Rapid City Parks Department mowing and beautifying the city parks. Before retiring Clarence loved watching his granddaughter Lisa swim at the Rapid City swimming pool. After his retirement he loved spending time with his granddaughter Misti.Clarence is survived by his wife; Agnes of Gillette, Wyoming, daughter; Sandra (Rich) Gilkey of Gillette, Wyoming, daughter in-law, Elaine Cooper of Sheridan, Wyoming, 2 granddaughters; Lisa (Jeff) Cooper-Torkelson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Misti Gilkey of Omaha, Nebraska, step granddaughter; Tanya (John) Engfer of Sheridan, Wyoming, 2 step great grandchildren: Joseph and Jamie Engfer and sister; Mildred Simon of Gettysburg, South Dakota.He was preceded in death by his parents, son James Cooper, one brother and two sisters.Memorials may be made to the Gillette, Humane Society. Condolences may be sent in Clarence?s name to Stevenson Funeral Home 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.