Shirley Hanson Koger

Born July 24, 1929 in Houston as the only child of Byron D. and Doris Werner Hanson, the earthly life of Shirley Hanson Koger ended on September 16, 2016. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Raymond M. Koger, and her daughter, Susan Rae Koger Wong.

Shirley considered Alamo Heights her first real home, where she graduated from Alamo Heights High School. After receiving her bachelor's and master's degrees from Southwest Texas, she worked in the West Texas oil fields in an industry in which few women were employed at the time. It was during this period that she met and married the love of her life, Ray. Shirley raised their family throughout many relocations due to his career in the oil industry, and she returned to her first home in Alamo Heights after her husband's passing in 1999. She chronicled these years in a short autobiography for her family and close friends, "Between the Bookends," which included kind words about the family's time in Longview, TX and Jackson, MS.

A teacher at heart, Shirley spent 28 years teaching high school mathematics. She was also instrumental in pioneering computer science education by establishing the first computer lab and teaching the first computer science classes at MacArthur High School. Shirley took pride in her extensive knowledge of the Bible, leading several Bible Study classes throughout the years. She was an active member of and volunteer for Alamo Heights United Methodist Church and also served as a Red Cross volunteer at BAMC's Burn ICU for six years. Above all, Shirley loved and served her family by hosting festive family gatherings, spreading her generosity, and sharing her passion for history and genealogy.

She is survived by her son, Robert D. Koger, and his wife, Victoria Patricia Malvido Koger; son-in-law, Barclay Wong; grandchildren, Nicholas and Elizabeth Wong, and Victoria Dee Becerril; and extended family members, Richard, Marcelle, and Chris Wong.

A celebration of the life of Shirley Hanson Koger will be held at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church on Monday, October 10 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church Susan Koger Wong Scholarship Fund.