of Marshall, AR
September 11, 1936 - March 27, 2022
Leon Cooper, age 85 of Marshall, Arkansas passed from this life on Sunday, March 27th, 2022 at his daughter's home in Marshall, Arkansas. He was born in Bear Creek, Arkansas on September 11th, 1936 to Fred Columbus Cooper and Lena Maye Wright Cooper.
Leon was a Korean War Veteran of the United States Navy. He was a welder by trade but horse training was his passion. He wrote a weekly publication in the Marshall Mountain Wave for many years called "Horsin Around". He was an amazing author and had a way with words. He wrote a book entitled "Call Me Newt" and has been published in numerous publications. He was the rock of his family and his strong presence will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his children, Natasha Grinder of Marshall, Deborah Cooper of Paragould, Paula Marie Cooper of Marshall and James Riley Cooper of Marshall; grandchildren, Brooke Arkless-Myers (Rueben) of Paragould, Carly Bearden (Steven) of Paragould, Rhett Cooper of Marshall and Westan Cooper of Marshall; great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Rains, Blue Crider, Madison Thompson, Gage Thompson, Brayden Thompson, Juliana Avila, Gretchen Myers and Rueben Myers; siblings, Helen Horton of Marshall, Gorman Cooper of Marshall and Norma Barger of Quitman; and many extended family and friends who will mourn his passing.
Leon is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lena Cooper; his wife, Carlene Cooper; daughter, Teresa Gail Johnson; and grandson, Nathan Leon Rains.
Graveside services for Leon will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 at Bear Creek Cemetery in Bear Creek, Arkansas with Bro. Donnie Horton officiating. Friends and family will serve as bearers.
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29 Condolence(s)
B Johnson-Giermam
Monday, April 4, 2022
My condolences and prayers for the family.
Last time I saw Leon was at a wagon train several years ago… always enjoyed visiting with him
He will be missed
B
Joe and Melba Ward
Thursday, March 31, 2022
We were so sorry to hear about Leon. We didn't hear about it until day of funeral. We thought a lot of him. Prayers for all.
Pauline Gilliland Mears
Thursday, March 31, 2022
I am so sorry to hear this, will keep all the family in prayer.
Neal Mays
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Riley a memory that makes me laugh every time centers around halter-breaking a heifer for county fair. Your dad so enjoyed picking at you for not being able to make her cooperate. Seems like she’d just lay down when you got close. Leon was as tickled as you were frustrated! He was a fine fellow and such fun to visit with, and to read in the paper. All the best as you and family adjust to a very different life without him.
Shari Ricketts
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
You will be greatly missed by your fellow riders, leon. Thanks so very much for sharing your apple and turnip slices with us. We enjoyed knowing and riding with you so much
Beverly Horton
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Holly Kemp
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
O Leon. I can see you driving everyone all over Heaven in a fancy buggy. Finding new trails guiding tours. We all loved our rides with you. Memories.
Brian and Reanna Ragland
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
So sorry to hear of your loss. May God give you peace.
Troy & Peggy Ragland
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
So sorry for your loss we are praying for you all ðŸ™ðŸ’—
Wesley and Loretta Smith
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Leon was a good friend and he will be greatly missed by lots of people.
Steve Parham
Monday, March 28, 2022
..praying for your family for the loss of Leon...thank you for allowing us to help with the arrangements...Steve from Pure and Simple Caskets.....
Julie M Netland
Monday, March 28, 2022
so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your service Leon.. prayer gor the family
Amanda Casey
Monday, March 28, 2022
So sorry to hear Riley, praying for you and the rest of ur family.
Coy & Sue Horton
Monday, March 28, 2022
Leon was a good friend and will be missed. We will certainly miss setting down with Leon and swapping stories of old times. Our thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace during the days ahead. God's blessing for Leon's entire family and friends
Jackie & Scott Tumbleson
Monday, March 28, 2022
We are so very sorry for your families loss.
Tonya (Rea) Keisler
Monday, March 28, 2022
Leon always had a smile for everyone he saw, he will be missed
Sorry for your loss
Prayers for the family
Paula England Deckard
Monday, March 28, 2022
Prayers going up for his family! I LOVED meeting up with him & his brother Gorman at Clinton Wal-Mart. Lots of stories to tell - lots of memories made with Leon Cooper & my Dad! My favorite memory would have to be Leon calling me “Panty Waist†- after a play day at the Marshall arena when I was back in HS! I couldn’t make my horse stand still while pulling a potato sack towards me full of aluminum cans! Every time that sack would move - my horse would jump back 2 foot…..Leon always telling me how to make that horse stand still! Finally I gave up & rode out of the arena, while Leon was calling me Panty Waist……every time I would see him from then on - I would call him Panty Waist! Such a GREAT horseman & friend to my Dad!!! Gonna miss you Leon!
Deanna Taylor-Rushing
Monday, March 28, 2022
The most kind and gentle soul I ever knew.
My condolences are sent to Riley and other members of the family.
May God bless you.
Shirley J. Gray
Monday, March 28, 2022
my thoughts an prayers are with all his family, they were his life, Leon will be GREATLY missed. I know that I will miss him also. I have known Leon about all my life and I can say there will be only one Leon. Leon would ALWAYS tell you like he seen it whether you liked it or not, so if you did not want the truth then do not ask. We all will meet again in heaven and see Leon's famous smile!
Janet Rainbolt
Monday, March 28, 2022
So sorry to hear of Leon's passing. He was a good man and will be missed. My prayers are with the family.
Gayle Tilley
Monday, March 28, 2022
Riley, you have my deepest condolences during this time of the loss of your dad! May you have peace and comfort as you remember his life. Leon will greatly be missed. God bless you, your siblings, and other family members!
Eddie & Pam Cannada
Monday, March 28, 2022
Our deepest sympathy.
Bruce Stewart
Monday, March 28, 2022
I’m very saddened to hear of Leon’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many friends he leaves behind.
Roger and Angie Johnson
Monday, March 28, 2022
Riley and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tom and Dona VanKirk
Monday, March 28, 2022
Leon will be missed by a lot of people. Glad we had seen him just a few months back. We used to ride horses with him. His son Riley and our son Bo were born about a month apart and learned to ride horses as they were growing up. Leon will be missed by many. RIP Leon you are in a better place and breathing much better now
Gene and Mae Martin
Monday, March 28, 2022
Our deepest condolences and Prayers for the family.... Leon was one of a kind and a good friend over the years...
Cindy Gorton
Monday, March 28, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss.
Doug and Nancy Weaver
Monday, March 28, 2022
Thank you for your service to this great country of ours. God bless this family.
John and Claudia Busbee
Monday, March 28, 2022
Sorry to hear of your loss.