Thomas Cooper, 73, of Hazen, ND died Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Sakakawea Medical Center, Hazen. Services will be held at 10:00 AM CDT on Monday, July 11, 2016 at Salem United Methodist Church, Hazen with Pastor Cory Thrall officiating. Burial will follow at Hazen City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday at Barbot Funeral Home, Hazen.

Tom was born November 21, 1942 in Denham Springs, LA.  He joined the Navy in 1959.  While in the Navy he met and married LaVal Loewen. They married June 1, 1963 and lived in San Diego until he was honorably discharged from the Navy later in '63.  From there they moved to Denham Springs where they lived until 1966.  During this time their daughter, Rena, was born.  They moved to Hazen in '66. In 1969, their son, Clay, was born.

Tom worked at Leland Olds Power Station, did construction work, farmed and milked cows, sometimes all at the same time.  He was a very hard working man who prided himself on being tough.  He loved farming.  Being a steward of the land and his animals was important to him.  Tom took pride in his work, whatever it was.

Hunting and fishing were his favorite retirement entertainment.  His shop held many, many after hunting get-togethers.

Tom was a friend to just about everyone he ever met.  He would help anyone who needed it, and was loved by everyone who knew him.  Tom's biggest source of pride was his family, especially his grandchildren.  He taught his grandson and granddaughters so many lessons about hunting, fishing, friendship, and every other aspect of life, and how to live it well.

Tom is survived by his wife, LaVal (Loewen) Cooper; his daughter Rena (Randy) Olheiser, and her children, Cooper (Elizabeth) Olheiser, Bayli (Ryan) Sutton and their daughter, Nora, Molly Olheiser, Chris (Heather) Olheiser and their sons, Braxton and Maddox; and his special son, Trevis Larson; his sister, Jane (Steve) Thompson and her sons, Robin and Randy Rollo; his nephews, Jesse and Jody Retterath; his sister-in-law,Mavis (Harold) Hoffman and her children, Debbie Schwab, Darcy Sayler, Wyatt Flemmer, Vicki Kilzer, Jennifer Veil, and Amy Murphy.

Tom was preceeded in death by his son, Clay Cooper, his parents, Worden and Sue Cooper, his father and mother-in-law, Leonard and Irene Loewen, his sister and brother-in-law, Toots and John Retterath, and his brothers-in-law, Bob Rollo and Clarence Flemmer.

Memorials are preferred to Sakakawea Hospice and Sakakawea Medical Center

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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