Longtime Argos educator, community leader Gene Cooper passed away

Friday, June 19, 2026 at 7:53 AM

By Staff report

Eugene (Gene) Ernest Cooper was born to Hazel (Johnson) and Robert Ernest Cooper on October 3, 1935, in Argos, Indiana.

Over his 90 years, he was a mentor, friend and guiding post to all who knew him.

A Boilermaker fan for his entire life, he graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor of science and master of science in agriculture. While pursuing his passion for education, he met his wife Janice (Lehman) Cooper at a root beer stand in 1957. They celebrated 68 years of marriage in April.

Gene Cooper taught at Argos Community Schools as an agriculture and then science teacher for more than four decades. Even after retiring, he remained a leader and teacher in the community.

He attended Argos United Methodist Church and served on its finance committee, was a member of the Lions Club, mentored through Kids Hope and was a treasurer for Dollars for Scholars. Gene volunteered with 4-H for more than 60 years and led the Argos 4-H Forestry teams to several state and national competitions.

A lover of pranks and jokes, he entertained his grandchildren and great grandchildren by telling them there was a bear in his basement and then waiting until they went downstairs to roar into the vent directly above the basement.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by his four children, Brent (Lorie) Cooper, Brad (Diann) Cooper, Julie (Chris) Knueven, and Blaine (Shannon) Cooper; 14 grandchildren, Tyler, Travis, Taryn, Trent, Lauren, Megan, Anthony, Jared, Victoria, Matthew, Devon, Jonathon, Elizabeth, and Mallory; and seven great grandchildren, Jack, August, Pierce, Theodore, Emerson, Eleanora, and Charlie.

He is preceded in death by his parents Hazel (Johnson) and Robert Cooper; and siblings Bernice (Cooper) Toth, Eunice (Cooper) Leffert, Leroy Cooper.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 22, at the Argos United Methodist Church. The visitation is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The funeral begins at 12 p.m. and internment will follow the service at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Memorial Contribution may be made to Argos United Methodist Church, 570 N. Michigan St., Argos, Indiana 46501.