Kenneth Cooper

Kenneth Cooper passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, December 13th at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest hospital in Waco. He suffered a stroke in October of 2013 and despite his hard work and some progress toward recovery, succumbed to a rapidly developing case of pneumonia. Kenneth was born at Iredell, Texas on February 22, 1928. He graduated from Iredell High School in 1945, John Tarleton College at Stephenville in 1947, and Texas A&M in January 1949, at the age of 20. To put himself through college he worked a great variety of jobs, including one very hot Texas summer of digging foundations for the building of Highway 22 between Meridian and Whitney Dam.

After graduating from Texas A&M, he taught in the Veterans Program in the Morgan/Kopperl area for 3 years. In the fall of 1952, he started teaching at Kopperl High School, where he established the Vocational Agriculture program and taught for 8 years. During this time, he attended summer school at A&M and earned his Master’s Degree and Administrative Certification. He became High School Principal and taught various science classes for 7 years at Kopperl. He was accepted into two sessions of the National Institute of Science and Technology summer scholarship program where he attended geology classes in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1967 he was hired as High School Principal and Science teacher at Meridian High School. In the fall of 1975 Mr. Cooper returned to teaching Vocational Agriculture full time. He retired from teaching after 35 years of service.

Following his retirement, the Coopers traveled in their motor home for several years, visiting 27 states during this time and enjoying fellowship with many friends. Throughout his life Mr. Cooper was known for his hard work, his leadership, and integrity.

The Coopers celebrated 65 years of marriage, September 3, this year. Mr. Cooper is survived by his wife, Betsy; daughter Deborah and her husband Gerry Kuennen of Southlake; son Jim Cooper and his wife Robyn from their home on the San Bernard River near Brazoria. He also leaves a grandson, Califf Cooper and his wife, Celeste; granddaughter, Ashley and her husband, Bruce Foster; great grandchildren, Bryant and Coralyn Cooper, Beckett and Bennett Foster all from Houston. Mr. Cooper’s brother, Don and wife Peggy reside in Columbus. In addition to his parents, Fletcher and Velma Cooper, Kenneth was preceded in death by his brother Royce Cooper of Meridian.

The family would like to express appreciation to the nurses, staff, and administration at Goodall-Witcher hospital in Clifton. Valerie Medcalf and the Skilled Nursing program have been exceptional in the care and concern shown. The physical and occupational therapists at Goodall-Witcher were also outstanding. In addition we are deeply grateful to Dr. Skylar Bizzell for his skill and support.

Mr. Cooper was baptized during his youth at Spring Creek Baptist church outside Iredell. Following his marriage he attended the Methodist Church and taught the Men’s Class at Kopperl United Methodist church for several years. At Mr. Cooper's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. His concern was always for his beloved wife and family and he felt the emotional distress would only add to their pain. Following cremation, his remains will be interred at the Cooper Family plot in the Mitchell Cemetery at Iredell, with family only.

Thoughts and memories may be shared with the Cooper family at lawsonfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792