Ivan Bowman Cooper
Ivan Bowman Cooper passed away peacefully on July 5, 2020 in Cedar City, Utah. He was 84 years old.
Ivan was born on February 20, 1936 in Overton Nevada. He was the seventh and youngest child of Richard and Alta Cooper.
Ivan grew up on the family farm in Stringtown in Overton. He attended Moapa Valley High School where he played football and ran track, but he spent most of his time on the farm milking cows, working in the fields, hauling hay, and riding horses.
Ivan married Meredith Hickman on May 2, 1958 in Overton, Nevada. They were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple the following year. After a stint in the Army National Guard, Ivan and Meredith settled in Overton. Ivan and his brother Reed took over the family farm and formed the Cooper Brother’s Dairy.
Ivan also raised beef cattle, horses, and other animals, including six sons who helped on the farm.
He was a hard worker and also found time to work at the power company, or to drive the local gas truck, and to start a greenhouse operation. After selling the dairy Ivan worked for Simplot for thirty years.
Ivan loved to hunt, fish, ride horses and spend time with his family. He was a good father and husband.
Ivan coached Little League baseball, worked with the Boy Scouts, served on the Moapa Valley Water District Board for 12 years, and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served as Bishop of the Overton 1st Ward.
Ivan and Meredith moved to Cedar City, Utah in 2006 to spend their retirement years.
Ivan is survived by his wife Meredith; four sons: Mendis (Debbie) of Overton, Stacey (Terri) of Cedar City, UT, Robert (Beth) of Logandale, and Keith ‘Charlie’ (Alisha) of Overton; a sister Marietta Carson; a daughter-in-law Trisha Cooper; 13 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, other siblings, and two sons Tom and Adam.
A viewing will be held Friday, July 10, 2020 from 6-8pm at Moapa Valley Mortuary. Funeral services will be live-streamed at 9:00am Saturday, July 11th. Due to the current health situation a traditional funeral service will be replaced with an online funeral at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.
24 thoughts on “OBITUARY: Ivan Bowman Cooper”
Meredith, I was so sad to read this today. You have been on my mind for the last couple of weeks. Please know how much I love you. You will be in my prayers.
Meredith we are so sad to hear of Ivans passing. He will surely be missed. What a wonderful man. Always kind, friendly and very loyal. What a wonderful example he is to all of us and especially all of your posterity. We love you and cherish the memories we have had with you both. Love to you all, Dennis and Maralyn.
Meredith, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Ivan as such a kind person. My thoughts and prayers are with you..
Love, Marilyn (Davis) Walker
Sorry to hear about the passing of someone you hold dear. May your Memories bring you comfort.
Meridith,
You and your family will continue to be in my prayers. Ivan left a legacy to be proud of. He is missed.
Meredith, you were married to a kind, caring, wonderful man. Our lives have been blessed by associating with him. You two have been such great neighbors for many many years. Words can hardly put together the feelings that I have for Ivan. He has assisted me in so many ways. I am so sorry for your loss.
Brother Cooper was the best Sunday School Teacher ever. I remember when he did a class party and cooked hot dogs for all of us kids.
We are so sorry. Sending love and prayers from Corey and Kristi Dalley.
So sorry to hear of Ivan’s passing. What a wonderful man, always a kind word to say. Sending our love and prayers to his family while he loves dearly.
Dear Meredith and family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. He was a dear man and he will be missed terribly. I will cherish every memory of him, and wish you all my love.
We are more sorry than we can say. What a great guy and wonderful family. He leaves wonderful memories.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Ivan always had a smile and visit for me when we both were at the cancer center. He was always happy to see someone and set an example with you for all of us to strive for. I love you, and will keep you in my prayers.
Dear Meredith, my little family and I recently moved back to “Stringtown” just up the road from where you and Ivan lived, and I grew up. I was just reminiscing the other day as I walked down Cooper St with my own kids, showing where everyone lived as I grew up. I passed your old house with fond memories of you and Ivan. He was always so friendly as I’d catch him coming home from work. I remember not many adults took the time to stop and ask a kid how their day was, but he always did, and he always listened attentively to my answers. I also remember the time you tried to teach me the organ… and I ended up deciding I’d much rather enjoy listening to you play your piano from my front porch.
Growing up being surrounded by good people like you two helped to shape me as a human being. My heart is sad for you right now. But I’m so grateful for my faith and beliefs that the soul lives on beyond here, and that in time, you will be together again. I send prayers of comfort and peace to you and the family. Thank you and Ivan for being a light in my life. Much Love, Reyanna
Dear Meredith and Family. Many years have passed since last we saw you and Ivan at your place in Overton on the banks of a swollen Muddy, but I remember you both with love and send heartfelt condolences in Ivan’s passing. Carol Harper Snow, 1172 Murdock, American a Fork UT
Having left us in this vale of tears, he may not see the sadness we feel at parting. But thankfully we know our reunion will be as joyful as when we walked together in past years. Blessings to the family as memories soften the sorrows.
Dear, Cooper Family-
Mr. Cooper was such a sweet and kind man. I remember him fondly when he worked at Simplot. He always had a smile on his face. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your families. He was a great man . Greatly missed.
Love Murray Perkins and Family
Mendis – I never met your Dad, but he sounds like a wonderful father and person. My deepest sympathy.
To all the Cooper family . Know that our thoughts are with you at this time of such a loss. Bishop Cooper the man that called me on a mission will always be a dear friend to me and Meredith will always be my greatest Guitar teacher ever. May God bless and comfort you all with his Holy Spirt of Comfort.
Marilynn have been praying for peace and contentment for your family, Mendis. I know losing a father is difficult, but you will forever lean on the teachings he imparted to you. I appreciate working with you and honor your straightforward approach openness and humor.
Garth and I were saddened to hear of Ivan’s passing. Our condolences to you Meredith and your family. Ivan and Garth have always been such a good friend.
To the Ivan Cooper Family, So sorry to hear of Uncle Ivan’s passing. He was a great man, kind. caring, and always seemed to be happy. He raised a great! family. You are all a wonderful examples of how a family should be. We admire your dedication to family and love for our Savior. May you all find comfort in Him at this time..
Mendis and family: Our sincere condolences to you and your family with the passing of your father. From the memorial information, it sounds like he was quite the person, and we know that his strength and love for his family will be with you always.
Your friends at CREDA.
Such a wonderful man!
Meredith and Family we are so sorry for your loss.💜