W. E. "Duke" Cooper, 91, died Friday, May 14, 2010 at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains at Dodge City. He was born on July 25, 1918 at Kansas City, Missouri, the son of W. E. Cooper, Sr. and Mae Emma (Slack) Cooper. He was raised in Kansas City and graduated from Northeast High School.

On November 10, 1940 he married Dorothy B. Fancher at Independence, Missouri and they resided in the Kansas City, Missouri area until moving to Dodge City in 2002. She preceded him in death on January 5, 2006. Mr. Cooper served with the U.S. Navy during WW II from 1944 to 1946. Mr. Cooper worked for Ford Motor Company of Kansas City in production scheduling.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and a member of Howard Gotschall Post #1714, V.F.W. both of Dodge City.

Survivors include a son, Doug Cooper and wife Cecilia of Olathe; a daughter, Sandy Tarter and husband Dave of Dodge City; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Dodge City on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Lance Carrithers presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City with military graveside rites by Howard Gotschall Post# 1714, V.F.W.. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church of Dodge City or to Hospice of the Prairie both in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.