Gary L. Koop

Gary L. Koop was born on November 17th, 1952, to Jacob Leonard Koop and Elizabeth Lucille (Finley) Koop in Burlington, Colorado and departed this life on April 1st, 2025 at the age of 72. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Tamsen Marie (Hoskin) Koop, his children Brian Jacob Hoskin Koop, Lindsay Joy Smith and Collin Drew Koop along with his son in law Rich Smith and grandchildren Rielle Smith and Witten Smith, his mother Lucille Koop, sisters Karen Briegel (Gordon) and Sharon Vance (Mike), sister-in-law Pam Hoskin (Ron Black), and nieces and nephew Annie, Griff, Kendra and Kari along with many extended family and friends.

Gary moved with his family to Steamboat Springs, Colorado where he attended school until the family returned to Burlington where he graduated from BHS with the class of 1971.

After High school, he worked with his father in the Lawn Shop and later joined his father-in-law, HY Hoskin, in the Kit Carson County Abstract Company where he spent over 36 years. He knew where every piece of ground in the county was and the legal description and who owned it. After selling the Abstract Company he ran for Kit Carson County Commissioner and was elected to serve as KCC Commissioner for District 1, serving for 8 years before retiring.

He also served on the Board of Directors for the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital, where he received the Golden Wheat award. He also served on the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department for over 50 years and the Kit Carson Memorial Health Care foundation.

His passion was restoring and collecting classic cars. He loved a good cruise and a trip to Vegas every chance he could get away from work.

He was proceeded in death by his father Leonard, baby brother Leonard A. and niece Sarah Vance.

A life well lived who left us with many wonderful memories.

Memorial contributions may be made out to the Pink Chaps Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.