Hal Cooper Sr., age 81, of Russellville, died Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.  He was born October 2, 1944, in Texarkana, Texas to Horace Edwin and Gladys Jeanette Smith Cooper.

He attended Eastside Church of Christ.  He loved his family and his church. Some of his achievements include being the Director of Bands at Arkansas Tech University for over 32 years. He was named ATU Professor Emeritus of Music in 2013.   He received the highest honor the University may bestow upon an individual-induction into the ATU Hall of Distinction in 2017.   He served as President of the Southwest Division of the College Band Directors National Association, President of Arkansas Phi Beta Mu, and District Governor for Kappa Kappa Psi, College Band Service Fraternity.  He was also named Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year in 1988, and he achieved membership in the American Bandmaster Association in 1992. But his proudest achievement was raising all of his children and all of the Cooper kids.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beth Cooper; and a brother-in-law, Barry Whetstein.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Hal Jr. and Tracy Cooper of Russellville, Lee and Sherri Cooper of Bentonville and Clayton Cooper of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; a daughter and son-in-law, Mindy and Derick Echols of Springdale; a sister, Rita Whetstein; six grandchildren, Chase Cooper, Sarah Cooper, Peyton Catron, Grayson Echols, Eliza Cooper and Kassidy Kietzman; a nephew, Brian Whetstein; and a special friend, Julia Reynolds.

Family and friends will honor Hal D. Cooper Sr's life during a funeral service at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Shinn Chapel with Mike Pittman officiating.  Burial will be private under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the chapel.

To further commemorate his joyful spirit, a celebration of life and music is planned for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Witherspoon auditorium with a time to be announced.

Pallbearers will be HL Shepherd, Jo Ed Gunn, Bob Gibson, Earl Allain, David Rollins, and Dan Belongia.

Memorials may be made to the Cooper Repertoire Collection, an endowed program established to support the Arkansas Tech University (ATU) Symphonic Wind Ensemble by funding the purchase, creation, and commissioning of new music, checks payable to ATU Foundation, P.O. Box 1105, Russellville, Arkansas 72811.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.