Mark Donavon Cooper, 65, of Hays, Kansas, passed away at home on December 26th, 2024, after a courageous, two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer.
Born in Anthony KS, on March 7, 1959, the son of Gary and Lois (Daughhetee) Cooper. In 1978, he graduated from St. Francis Community High School. He was married November 10, 1979, to Toby (Dirks) Cooper. To this union a son Wesley Don and two daughters Kelsey Ann and Mindy Louise made their family complete. He worked as an automotive service-tech before owning his own business, St. Francis Tire in 1993. He retired from the family business in 2021.
Mark was quiet, kind-hearted and talented. When not working, you could find him in the garage tinkering with his cars or other projects. His hobby and love of muscle cars was shared between his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with his dog Lulu and was always up for an adventure with the grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Tobias Dirks, three nephews, John and Carl Keller, Ty Hardwick and his daughter Kelsey Cooper.
Mark is survived by his wife, Toby of the home; son Wesley (Candice) Cooper of Leoti, daughter Mindy (Dustin) Kuhn of Hays; grandchildren Kasen and Kaycee Kuhn, Chloe and Radley Cooper; sister Ronda Loven; sister-in-law’s, Gwen (Mark) Keller, Gail (Bernie) Stoltmann; brother-in-law, Max (Irene) Dirks; mother-in-law Annetta Dirks; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church, 202 North College Street in St. Francis, Kansas with Pastor Luke Emerson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Forever in Blue Jeans or Hays Hospice. Services are in the care of Knodel Funeral Home.