Tom Copher

Tom Copher went to be with his Lord Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 at the age of 86. Thomas Wayne Copher was born to Robert and Addie Copher on July 19th, 1939 in Joplin, MO. where he lived his entire life.
He graduated from Joplin Senior High School in 1957.
He started his career at the Joplin Post office as a clerk retiring after 30 plus years of service then starting another career at Joplin schools as a bus driver retiring after 25 years of service.
Tom’s priority was his family. He was the man of the house, blessing our food, playing ball in the yard, babysitting the grandchildren and great grandchildren (eating whatever they wanted), being super funny, doing his missing finger trick, and singing crazy songs. He loved sports. He loved baseball and played at Sunny Jim, then went on to play softball till the age of 60 as mostly a pitcher. He played with lots of church friends, sons, son in laws, and grandsons and he excelled at the sport. He bowled in more than one league over his lifetime and was in a league a month before his death. He loved to watch Jeopardy and Perry Mason and work the word scramble in the paper. He could play the harmonica and he loved to sing specials at church.
The most important activity in his life was going to church and loving the Lord. He went to the Joplin Nazarene church his entire life serving as the janitor for many years along with his other jobs.
In his last days all he wanted to do was go to church and bowl.

He married his first love Cleo Hunt in 1958. She survives in the home. They celebrated their 67th anniversary in May.
6 children were added to this union.
Larry Ice (Connie)
Claudette Nolan (Jim)
Carma Stehm (Frank)
Tom Jr. Copher (Jennifer)
Rob Copher (Whitney)
Levi Copher (Vanessa)
Grandchildren are Nathan, Jennifer, Andrea, Josh, Ashley, Sabra, Brock, Shea, Clayton, Victoria, Veronica, Zeth, Mckenna, Korbin, Cameron, Dylan, and Ty
33 Great grandchildren
4 Great Great grandchildren
He is survived by his wife Cleo and their children. Two sisters, Louise Moore and Evelyn Rumble and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, that he loved dearly.
Those passed before him are his parents Robert and Addie, a brother Bobby, his son Larry and Larry’s wife Connie.
In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to Joplin Calvary Nazarene church Joplin mo.
arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory of Joplin, Mo