Gail Annette Cooper

Gail (Meier) Cooper, 78, formerly of Odessa, MO, passed away Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home in Omaha, NE. 

 Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S 2nd St, Odessa, MO 64076, 816-633-5524. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the First Christian Church, 224 W. Dryden St., Odessa, MO, 64076. Private interment will be at Shore Cemetery in Bates City, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Odessa R-7 Schools Kris Cooper Scholarship Fund. Memories of Gail and condolences for her family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page.

 Gail was born April 12, 1946, in Kansas City, MO, to Richard and Norma (Hershey) Meier. She graduated in 1964 from Oak Grove High School. Gail attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO. She was united in marriage on March 11, 1967, to Gary R. Cooper in Higginsville, MO. For many years, Gail taught pre-school at her home in Odessa, MO and was beloved by all of her students. She will be especially remembered for her famous “popcorn balls” that she handed out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. She also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, volunteering at the Clothes Closet, and contributing to numerous local charities. 

 Gail is survived by her husband, Gary R. Cooper of Omaha, NE; son Ryan M. Cooper and his wife Lisa of Omaha, NE; grandson Henry L. Cooper; sister Linda Hottel and husband Wilbur of Odessa, MO; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

 Along with both of her parents, Gail was preceded in death by her daughter Kristine R. Cooper.