Alan Lafayette Coop, 83 of Unionville, MO, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026, at his home.
Alan was born to Harold & Junia (Godwin) Coop on December 9, 1942, in Fairfield, Iowa. He received his education from Brighton High School in Brighton, Iowa, graduating in 1961 at the top of his class. After school, Alan was united in marriage to Linda Jean Boese on December 21, 1963, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. To this union came seven children: JoEllen, Duane, Heather, Lafe, Ashly, Andrea and Carrie.
Alan and Linda owned and operated G &R Auto Body Shop in Mount Pleasant, Iowa for 62 years, where he took great pride in his handiwork. He had his pilots license and enjoyed flying his airplane in his younger years. He also enjoyed surprising people with the number of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren he had, totaling 59. He always followed that up with the comment ‘all because two people fell in love’.
He loved the Lord Jesus, having accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the Nazarene Church in Mt. Pleasant in January of 1964 and instilled his faith of God in his children. He was always eager to host big Sunday dinners after church and many church New Year Eve parties. Some of his past times included making his famous sweet tea and watching storms roll in, baling hay at the family farm where he had cattle, playing cards with friends and family, and he loved to grocery shop and always requested ‘brown paper bags and don’t squish the bread’.
Survivors include his wife Linda Coop of the home, seven children: JoEllen Jepson (Jeff), Duane Coop, Heather Risberg, Lafe Coop (Hannah), Ashly Hurley (Jerred), Andrea Dorsey (Ray), Carrie Hines (Chris), daughter in law Jennifer Coop, 24 grandchildren: Amanda (Kyle Davy) Jepson, Zacherey (Lindi) Jepson, Sabrina (Cale) Garrett, Chelsea (Travis) Hoyer, Mariah (Mark Nelson) Jepson, Jalyssa Jepson, Wesley Coop, Bradley Coop, Ryan Coop, Brooklyn Holbert, Mackenzie (Tyler) Munday, Raegan Coop, Cason Coop, Sawyer Coop, Bryce Koenen, Brody Hurley, Bryna Hurley, Trevor Dorsey, Mason Dorsey, Levi Dorsey, Dru Dorsey, Bo Dorsey, Carleigh Hines, Deklan Hines, 16 great grandchildren, and numerous extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Fern Jeanette, Pauline, Evelyn, Ronnie and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville. Burial will immediately follow at Lupton Cemetery. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the funeral from 10-11:00 am. Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or Cairo Baptist Church. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com.
