Oral Estel Cooper, 91, passed away on July 10, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Ludell, Kansas to Charles Cooper and Susie Bucknoll.  Oral married Kathryn Adrennia Smith in Raton, New Mexico March 3, 1951. He served in the United States Army was a private first class and was also honorably discharged in 1946, he worked at the Colorado Highway department as a heavy equipment operator, he also enjoyed helping during potato and barley harvest and normally used his vacation time to do this.  In his early years he served as a Boy Scout leader, was a member of the BPOE #1297 Elks Lodge of Alamosa, the American Legion post 113 in Alamosa and attended the first Christian church in Alamosa for the past 20 years, he also was a member of the Alamosa senior citizens.  In his spare time he enjoyed hunting elk and deer in the Colorado Mountains, wood working and he played the role of Santa Claus for over 30 years.  Oral loved to dance and always enjoyed a round of pool.

He is survived by his wife Kathryn of Alamosa and five of their children 6 children: Darrel (Vicki) Cooper of Alamosa, Dinah (Bill) Foy of South Carolina, Dennis (Karen) Cooper of Montana, Dellia John of Alamosa, and Dwight (Lavoya) Cooper of Utah; his daughter in law Dawina Cooper of Fort Garland, CO. Also surviving him are his 13 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 23 ? great grandchildren, and two step great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends. 

Oral is preceded in death by his parents, son Douglas Cooper, his grandson Kahlil Reed, his 11 brothers and sisters James Cooper, Julius Cooper, Loren Cooper, Florence Javernick, John Cooper, Gilbert Cooper, Carl Cooper, Forrest Cooper, Betty Clark, Opal Dawes, and Boyd Cooper.

Cremation was chosen, and a Memorial service will be held 10:00 am Saturday, July 21, 2018 at the First Christian Church, 518 First St., in Alamosa and interment services with military honors will take place at 12:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Homelake Veterans Cemetery, contributions are suggested to the First Christian Church of Alamosa or the Alamosa Senior Citizens.

Rogers Family Mortuary of Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.  To leave online condolences, tributes or remarks for Oral’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com