September 3, 1930 – April 29, 2020
On the morning of Wednesday, the 29th of April 2020 Edwin H. Cooper peacefully passed away in his sleep from Alzheimer’s at The Waterford of College Station. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd for immediate family and virtually for remote family members. A celebration of the life of Edwin will be held for all wishing to attend after the Covid pandemic recedes-details to be provided at a later date. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers, Bryan-College Station.
Edwin was born in San Marcos, Texas to Margaret and Leslie Cooper, and in addition to attending elementary and junior high school there was ‘raised in’ the Methodist Church. With the help of his older brothers and friends Edwin sharply honed his fishing and hunting skills around the San Marcos River and in the Hill Country close by. He graduated from San Marcos High School in the spring of 1949 and entered Texas A&M as a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Band. While at A&M Cooper was also a member of Alpha Zeta Fraternity (scholastic) and was a Distinguished Student. During the summer of 1951 Edwin married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Jean Martin, and they moved to Married Student Housing on the A&M Campus. In May 1953, he received a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He attended the Armor Basic Camp in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and then was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany through mid 1955. He received an Honorable Discharge from the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant, and returned to Texas to work as an Assistant Agriculture County Agent in Travis County. Edwin’s professional experience also included: Specialist in Wildlife Conservation, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Assistant to President Earl Rudder, Director of Civilian Student Activities, Assistant to President Jack K. Williams, Director of Admissions, Dean of Admissions and Records, Director-Office of School Relations and Coordinator Special Projects-Educational Information Services, all at Texas A&M University. Upon retiring from A&M, Edwin and Peggy moved to Camp Creek Lake in Robertson County. From there he continued his fishing and hunting exploits with friends and family, contributed greatly to the leadership, growth and development of his grandchildren, wrote human interest stories for the local newspapers and enjoyed public speaking. Edwin especially enjoyed speaking at Aggie Musters across the state. One of our fondest memories is his muster speech delivered at Reed Arena on April 21, 2003.
Edwin’s civic involvement included: Vice President-BCS Jaycees, President Brazos County A&M Club, Councilman A&M Association of Former Students, Vice President BCS Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors Aggie Band Association, Board of Directors BCS Quarterback Club. Cooper has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the A&M Consolidated ISD, Chairman of the Board of St. Joseph Hospital, Class Agent of the Class of ’53, President of the Executive Committee of the College Board-Southwest Region, and was elected as a trustee to the College board. He served two years as Chairman of the National membership Committee-College Board. Edwin was enthusiastically involved in Methodist Church activities in Bryan, College Station and in Franklin, Texas.
Edwin is preceded in death by his parents, and older brothers and their spouses Jack & Jimi Neal and Charles & Laverta Cooper.
Edwin is survived by his wife, Peggy and their children, Linda & Michael Bridges, Lisa & Gary Cooper, Laurie Middleton, Teresa Boriski, and Abbie & Kevin Krolczyk. Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren: Cole Bridges and wife Adrienne, Matthew Bridges and wife Krystal, Mallory Bridges Satter and husband Steven, Mark Cooper & wife Sarah, Jacob Cooper & wife Angie, Shea Cooper, Abbie Middleton Symons and husband Patrick, Clay Middleton and wife Sarah, Cody Boriski, Nicole Boriski, Dudley Krolczyk and Will Krolczyk. In addition, Edwin is survived by the following great grandchildren: Lincoln, Gavin, and Trullis Bridges; Claire, Katherine, John-Paul, Leo and Lucy Cooper.
Our family sends heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Waterford in College Station and to Encompass Hospice Care for your excellent attention and care of Edwin. We are eternally grateful for your dedication and effort.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org or to the Fighting Texas Aggie Band through: corps.tamu.edu.
Express condolences at CallawayJones.com
Peggy and kids- Harry Jr. called me last night and told me the news about Ed. I am very sorry. He was a good friend and mentor to a whole bunch of us – and I have many wonderful memories of our times together… Kent
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Cooper was always very supportive of me when I worked for Admissions and Records/School Relations.
Praying for Peggy and family. God bless.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all the Cooper family, friends and loved ones. Ed was a fine man who will be missed but left many wonderful memories to be cherished by family and friends. Love and hugs, Stephanie
Peggy and Linda,
We are so sorry for your loss. We are praying for you and your family. May his memory live forever in your heart. Please let us know if there is anything you need. Hugs to you both.
So sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. My sincere sympathy to Peggy and family. I knew the Coopers through my parents Howard and Dolores Perry, who thought very highly of the wonderful Cooper family. May God’s blessing abound for you.
Pamela Perry Maddox
So very sorry!! Love to all and you will be in my thoughts and prayers!
To Peggy and Family—i was saddened today to read of Ed’s passing. To me he represented a huge chunk of Texas A&M and its history. I was pleased to work with him at the University and enjoyed his stories so very much. I never doubted his loyalty to A&M and he served as an example to emany of us in that regard.
He and my late husband Don shared strong feelings about the Aggie Band, which is another reason he was special to me. Don died eight andancd a half years ago after a three-year battle with e is with colon cancer. So I know the feelings of loss you are all enduring now. I hope it helps you to know that he is in heaven now, probably telling Aggie stories. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you through the days ahead.
Mary Jo Powell
HUGS!!!
I was thinking of “Dean” Cooper this past week and am sorry to learn of his passing. My deepest condolences to Peggy and the family. I have many fond memories when he was my boss at the Office of Admissions & Records in the Coke Building and Heaton Hall from 1973-1987. My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of loss.
Linda and Peggy, I am so sorry to hear about Dean Cooper. That’s who I knew him as, from his time with the Registrar’s Office. He was a very kind man. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peggy. We are so sorry to know of Edwin’s death. You and your family are in our heart and prayers. Love and God bless!
Peggy, We’ll always remember the fun times we shared with you and Edwin at Camp Creek. Your family is in our prayers.
Leon and Dottie
Peggy and family,
Our sincere sympathy to all of you. Peggy you were such a great wife to your husband. Everyone knew how devoted you’ll were to each either. What a wonderful example to your children and all your family.
Laverne Currie, Matthew,Cali,Hannah and Lonny
I am so very sorry to hear about Mr. Cooper’s passing. I loved visiting with him when he would come in the pharmacy in Franklin, and tell us all his life stories. He was a true gem of a man and so interesting to listen to.
My love to Mrs. Cooper. I am praying for your family. I’m sure he and my dad are telling each other great stories right now.
Peggy and family, Mom and Dad, and Billy and I send you our love and prayers from our part of the JA Martin/Goff family along with my sister Karen and Rich Boyd and brother Marc Goff. So sorry for your loss and we all send you our love. God be with your family during this time.
We enjoyed knowing Edwin Cooper. We admired him for his compassion and for his dedication to young people.
We enjoyed the friendship of Ed and Peggy for over 50 years. Great people. Tom & Caroline
Love to all of the Cooper family and please know you are in our prayers. So honored to have known Edwin and will look forward to celebrating his life with you.
Praying for and loving this precious family
I met Ed when I was trying to get sons and daughters of Legacy Aggies for admission and he was Dean of Admissions. He was a pleasure to visit with and always very helpful. I can’t think of anyone who was denied admission after his help. He was a dedicated Aggie and we need more like him! I never knew his middle name was Hanson! My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Thinking about you and your family, Linda. Your dad was a character and a great father and friend. Tell your mom we have such fond memories.
Gary and family, I am so sad you’ve lost the patriarch of the Cooper clan. He was such a good, kind and powerful person. He was so sweet to my mom who worked for Caroline Mitchell. Peggy, you and I worked together in the College of Education and I remember how you worshipped Dean Cooper. Our deepest sympathies.
Dean Cooper was a great man and a dear friend. Had it not been for Dean Cooper, I would not have this Aggie ring on my finger today. Back in 1974 he gave me a chance to get into A & M. My grades coming in were not good. He heard me pleading my case in the outer office and called me into his office. He told me go to junior college for a semester, come back with some decent grades and I will enroll you on probation and we will see how you do. He was willing to give me a second chance. I remembered that all my years in education when working with students as a teacher or administrator. “He didn’t see what I was, he saw what I could be” Several times Dean Cooper came by my office here in Franklin. I always enjoyed our visits. There was so much to learn from Dean Cooper. He will be missed. My condolence to Mrs. Cooper and the family. Charles Frieda ‘76
My thoughts and prayers are for all of the family. I work with one of his daughters, Laurie Middleton, and she spoke so fondly of her father so many times and the many wonderful family memories she had growing up. He must have been a wonderful man and I know he will be greatly missed.
Lord Jesus, you have captured our heart and it is yours. Take all the heartache from The Cooper family and friends and renew in them the joy and laughter from sweet memories of Uncle Edwin. Ed, the kids, and I will be in prayer as you come together to celebrate a life well lived.
My sincerest condolances to all of you for the loss of your beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and the most lovable raconteur in the State of Texas (as possibly the world). His tales as we road the glass-bottom boats on the San Marcos river, his joyous laughter at the remembrances of his and his brothers’ youthful escapades, stunts, and pranks, his love for his family, and fidelity to A&M will be in my heart.
With dearest memories of you, may your blessings continue and be showered on you now and forever.
Love from your niece Margaret
Gary,
Thanks for sharing this memorial service with Beth and I online. I didn’t know your dad very well, yet hearing the stories today I know would’ve very much enjoyed his company. I also lost my dad this year (September 2019), so both sympathize and empathize with you and your family for your loss. Praying you mourn gracefully and completely, and know that your dad is now in his heavenly father’s loving arms.
Love,
Dennis and Beth
We are thinking of your family and remembering your father. He spoke not only at A&M Muster, but also at Camp Creek 4th of July celebrations. What a great man!
May God send His comfort to you.
Love,
Sue Ellen and Fred Davis
Peggy & family,
Remembering Edwin and the wonderful good times we shared with him over the years; especially his fascinating stories about growing up on the San Marcos river. He will be missed, and I send my love and condolences to you and the family.
Love, Shirley
Linda and Mike,
So sorry for your loss.
Dena
Peggy and family,
My name is Teresa Crone, and my dad, Jimmy Turner, grew up in San Marcos with Edwin. How Life Stacks Up has several stories about my dad as a kid. I am so sorry to hear of Edwin’s passing. My mom, Leila, passed away in 2019 from Alzheimer’s, and my dad passed away just last week. I remember meeting you and Edwin when you came to Austin to see Mom and Dad and bring Dad an autographed copy. They had quite the friendship. May the Lord bless you and your family. Here’s to good friends and well-lived lives! Sincerely,
Teresa