Columbia, MO resident, Mark Cooper, age 56, passed away at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia on January 19, 2025.

Mark Brian Cooper was born November 6, 1968 in Kansas City, MO.  He was one of two children born to Russell and Sallie (Bartholomew) Cooper.  Mark grew up in the Glen Carbon, IL area and developed many life-long friendships.  He attended and graduated from Metro East Lutheran High School with the class of 1987. 

In August of 1988, Mark was injured in a diving accident and had to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.  Despite the many challenges and difficulties of his disability, Mark never gave up.  He furthered his education earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  Mark also developed a love for outdoor sports.  He spent many hours fishing, hunting and boating.  Mark spent his professional career working as a computer programmer for multiple software companies in the St. Louis, MO area. 

Survivors include his parents, Russell (Sallie) Cooper of Columbia, MO; sister, Mary (Eric) Pfitzinger of Columbia, MO; and three nephews, Lukas, Aughust and Gunnar Pfitzinger, all of Columbia, MO.

A funeral service honoring Mark’s life will be held 11 AM, Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, MO, with Rev. Chris Cook officiating.  Visitation will be and hour before the service at the funeral home, starting at 10 AM.  Interment will follow the service at Walnut Ridge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) or Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org).  These two charities were very close to Mark’s heart and he always supported them.