Thomas Cooper

Thomas Cooper, middle child of James and Ellen Cooper, was born March 18, 1928, near Westbend, Saskatchewan. His siblings and their spouses are George (Iva) Cooper, Letitia (Al) Tomlin, Anne (Ken) Hall, Ellen (Glen) Harris, Bill (Gail) Cooper, Joe (Joyce) Cooper.
Tom started his schooling at Gilbert School for two years then completed his public schooling at Firefly School. He took his first two years of high school by correspondence and finished high school in Kelliher School. He furthered his education by completing an Agriculture Diploma at the University of Saskatchewan.
Tom bought his first land in 1947 east of his family’s homestead farming with his brothers, Bill and George. In 1967 he bought more land four miles south and farmed on his own until his retirement to Kelliher in 2003, where he lived until his passing.
On October 31, 1960, Tom married Josie Ouellette and together they had seven children: Sherri; Guy (Deb), Jordan (Kristen, baby Thomas), Robin; JoDee (Gary), Cody (Kellsey), Megan (Chimere); Jason (Dianne), Taylor, Riley, Karlee; Betty; Blaise (Sherri), Leah; and Reece (Misty), Jessica, Sam and Emily.
Tom loved to drive to see the countryside and to visit his sisters and daughters in the Yukon, and other relatives in places including Ontario, Virginia, Calgary, and British Columbia. He also enjoyed taking the family on weekend drives throughout Saskatchewan, especially to the north, and in the neighborhood to get a better look at thunderstorms.
Tom worked several off-farm jobs including shop helper at Kelliher Motors and carpentry with Cyril Hood. He also did many building projects of his own including two pre-fab homes with the help of friends and family.
Throughout his life he enjoyed playing cards, tobogganing, cross-country skiing, curling, softball, visiting friends, and dreaming up practical jokes with his neighbours. After moving into town he joined the senior’s club and enjoyed a variety of games. He loved wildlife, especially collecting birds and small critters to be taxidermied. He served on school and Wheat Pool boards, and volunteered throughout the community.

He will be remembered by his family as a calm and gentle man with a healthy sense of humour.

Funeral Mass
Monday, May 22, 2017, at 2:30 p.m.
St. Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church
Kelliher, Saskatchewan

Celebrant
Rev. Father Albert Schmitz

Readers
Deb Cooper (daughter-in-law)
Karlee Cooper (granddaughter)
Prayers of the Faithful
Taylor Cooper (granddaughter)

Organist
Kelly Taylor-Faye

Hymns
“Be Not Afraid”
“You Are Near”
“Gifts of Finest Wheat”
“Sing a New Song”

Gift Bearers
Emily Cooper and Sam Cooper

Urn Bearers
Jordan Cooper
Riley Cooper

Interment
Kelliher Memorial Gardens