Gary C. Cooper, 83, formerly of Wabash, Indiana died at 6:20 am, Friday, October 18, 2024, at Sunnyside Village Retirement Community in Sarasota. He was born on December 26, 1940, in Wabash, Indiana, to Chester and Viola (Gephart) Cooper.
Gary was a 1958 graduate of Noble High School and studied Agriculture Education at Purdue University School and graduated in 1962. Gary was a member of the Church of Christ in Wabash and the Sarasota Christian Church. He also faithfully attended Chapel services at Sunnyside Village Retirement Community. His first job was teaching Vocational Agriculture and Science at Beecher High School in Beecher, Illinois. From there he moved to Ames, Iowa and began to work with Geigy Chemical in sales and management. He returned to Wabash in 1970 to work with his father at Cooper Swine Breeders. He was an Agricultural Chemical Technician and in 1975 founded Agro-Chem, Inc, In 1992, Gary sold Agro-Chem and devoted his life to helping others by using his experience in agriculture. He became a board member for several organizations including the Heifer Project International and Education Concerns for the Hunger Organization (ECHO), both organizations who focus on fighting world hunger and improving lives through agriculture.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gary is survived by the countless number of people around the world that he impacted through his generous efforts to share the hope of Jesus and to make the world a better place.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Wade Allen officiating. Burial will be in Rennaker Cemetery, LaFontaine. Friends may call 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are Church of Christ at Wabash or Summit Theological Seminary in Peru.
The memorial guest book for Gary may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
