Gary Lee Cooper

Lifelong Owen County resident, Gary Lee Cooper, age 69, passed from his earthly life at 4:36 PM on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, at the IU Health Bloomington Hospital with his loving family by his side. His life began on Monday, April 16th, 1956, in Martinsville, Indiana. Gary was one of four children and the only son born to the late Marvin E. and Frances L. (Grounds) Cooper. He graduated from Owen Valley High School with the class of 1974. Gary worked alongside his father on the family farm his entire life and continued pursuing his passion farming and raising livestock until his passing. His love for farming was evident in his daily life. In 1981, he gained employment with Otis Elevators in Bloomington where he worked for 20+ years, followed by a short time at FedEx in Indianapolis. After leaving FedEx, he worked in construction for many years, including working with his sons in the family business, Cooper Sales & Service, beginning in 2019. Gary's love for agriculture and livestock inspired him to become an active member of the Owen County Fair where he served many years on the fair board, 20+ years as the Swine Barn Superintendent and several years as a 4-H Leader. He was also an honorary FFA Member. In his spare time, he was typically found piddling on the farm, attending his grandchildren's sporting events or watching them show livestock across the country. He also took great pride and pleasure in vegetable and flower gardening, cleaning the hog barn, collecting John Deere tractors, watching basketball and cheering on his favorite teams, the Indianapolis Colts and IU Basketball. Gary's life and legacy will be fondly remembered by his family and friends including his wife, Julie Anne (Ross) Cooper of Gosport, IN; whom he married on May 19th, 2007; sons, Chad (wife, Afton) Cooper and Kevin (wife, Ann) Cooper both of Gosport, IN; step-son, Joe (wife, Tomisha) Ross of Spencer, IN; sisters, Kay All of Berne, IN, and Vickie (husband, Robert) Bevington of Indianapolis; eight beloved grandchildren, Kailee, Bryson, Rowan and Wade Cooper, Zane White, and Joey, Cole and Lilly Ross and many dear nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Gary was preceded in death by one sister, Karen Dee Cooper. Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday, May 12th, 2025, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM and one hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday at Neal & Summers Funeral and Cremation Center in Martinsville. Pastor Tim Cooper will conduct a service celebrating Gary's life on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, beginning at 11:00 AM at the funeral home and he will be laid to rest following the service in Samaria Cemetery in Paragon, Indiana. Contributions may be made in lieu of flowers in Gary's memory to the Owen County Youth Livestock Fund, c/o Owen County Community Foundation, 60 E. Market Street, Spencer, Indiana, 47460. Memories and condolences are encouraged to be shared with the family online at www.nealandsummers.com