A. J. Cooper, Sr.

WaA. J. Cooper, Sr. February 25, 1915 September 13, 2010 Albert Joray Cooper, Sr. was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 13, 2010, at Royal Manor Health Care. He is now peacefully at rest in the safety of the loving arms of Jesus. Services celebrating his life will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, Sept. 17, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Stephen Ramsdell officiating, with the eulogy presented by his son, A.J. Joe Cooper, Jr. An entombment will follow at Waco Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive visitors at 5-7 p.m., Thursday, September 16, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. He was known by everyone as A.J. and was born February 25, 1915, in Navarro County, TX, to Albert James and Mattie Shull Cooper. He graduated from Union High School in Navarro County. After completion of a course of study at Byrnes Commercial College in Dallas, TX, he began an interesting and varied career, starting with the Department of Agriculture. He also served in banking in Corsicana, TX, the insurance business with American General Life in Ballinger, TX, prior to WWII. During WWII, A.J. served his country building the Fletcher-class destroyers for the U.S. Department of the Navy of Consolidated Steel Shipyard in Orange, TX. The U.S. Government provided housing for the workers, and he had the distinction of naming the housing division "Pine Grove". When the war ended, he and his family moved to Waco where he joined Jones Fine Bread Company, and later spent thirty years with Alamo Steel, ultimately venturing into the welding supply business in 1979. In January 1984 he began his retirement years, and in 1985 he married Reba Ford Morris. A.J. was a member of Kiwanis International, Toastmasters, and served as a director on boards of several charitable organizations in Waco, as well as the board of Aldergate Enrichment Center of Brownwood, TX. A.J. was very active in the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, as well as in the district. He served as president of the Central Texas Conference United Methodist Men from 1992-1995. He held many offices in several area United Methodist Churches. He served as lay leader, usher, greeter and taught a college age class. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Waco and of the Odell Dudley Sunday School Class. During the last few years he had been unable to attend church due to his declining health and truly missed the worship and fellowship he had found so satisfying; and was missed greatly by his class. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Roy and Troy; and his sister, Barbara Geneva Cooper. He is survived by his loving and loyal wife and best friend of 25 years, Reba; a son, A.J. Joe Cooper Jr. and wife, Margaret; stepson, Robert Morris, all of Waco; and stepdaughter, Melissa Odell and husband, John, of Lone Tree, Colorado. Also surviving him are his grandchildren, Carol Eubank and husband, Greg, of Georgetown; Allyson Stanley and husband, Jack of Waco; Brad Cooper and wife, Kim of Sugar Land, and Robyn Lyle and husband, John, of Pearland; step grandchildren, John Odell and Patrick Odell of Colorado; Ashley Morris of Houston; six great grandchildren, Alyssa Lyle, Macy Eubank, Kendall Cooper, Jonathan Lyle, Maggie McGuire and Cameron Cooper. He is also survived by his brother, F.L. Cooper and wife, Jacque, of Midland, Texas; sister-in-law, Donna Harper Cooper of Garland; and a number of beloved nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Carey Chambers, Brad Cooper, Joe Flores, John Odell, Patrick Odell and David Rumpf. Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen Ministers of First United Methodist Church of Waco. Memorials may be made to Aldersgate Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 1406, Brownwood, TX 76804. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.