Born January 16, 1932 to Noel Lancelot and Elizabeth “Bess” (Johnston) Cooperider in Kansas City, MO, he was raised and educated in Kansas City, graduating from Southeast High School in 1949. Afterwards he joined the US Air Force and served until 1955. He then attended Tulsa University in Tulsa, OK graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysical Engineering. Tom met the love of his life at Tulsa and married Jessie E. (Bates) Cooperider from Van Buren, AR on August 24, 1957. He began his working career in Oklahoma, then moved to Texas and soon returned to Kansas City, MO where he worked for a variety of companies as an Engineering Sales Rep until his retirement in 1989.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his eldest sister Peggy June (Cooperider) Lemons, and his older brother Noel “Bud” Cooperider.
Tom is survived by his older sister Mary V. (Cooperider) Thorp, 97; his three children, James N. Cooperider, in Casper, WY; Amy E. Reeder, husband Michael W. in Leawood, KS and Richard A. Cooperider, wife Lisa in Lexington, MO and seven grandchildren; Tiffany R. Coker, husband Jon in Republic, MO, James N. Cooperider Jr., Thomas S. Cooperider, Jonathan E. Cooperider in Valparaiso, IN, David T. Reeder in Leawood, KS, Liza J. Cooperider and Renee M. Cooperider in Lexington, MO and many nieces and nephews.
While raising their children, Tom and Jessie were members of the Shawnee Presbyterian Church. In 1984, they moved to the Missouri side of the state line and transferred their membership to the John Knox Kirk. Tom’s passion was flying and building airplanes. The couple was active in the local EAA chapter in Shawnee. He and his sons were very active in Boy Scouts Troop 185. Tom was also an accomplished photographer whose favorite subject was airplanes. He was an outdoorsman and hunted pheasants in the fall. Additionally, he was a skilled woodworker and enjoyed Meteorology. Following Tom’s retirement, the couple moved around the midwest to Tipton, IN, Cameron, MO, Doniphan, MO, and Chillicothe, MO. Tom moved back to Kansas City after the passing of his wife.
Visitation will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO on Friday, December 16th from 7-9pm. Funeral Services will be at the John Knox Kirk, 11430 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO on Saturday, December 17th which will include a 2nd viewing at 9:30am with the service at 10am followed by Military honors at the grave site at Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Flower arrangements can be sent to Mount Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131 (816) 942-2004.
