Howard Payne Lt Col. Cooper

He was a 1947 graduate of State College High School, State College, PA., where he lettered in football and track. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1951 with a BS Degree in Education. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and retired in 1971. He logged 5585 hours flying time in 14 different types of aircraft and flew 586 combat hours during the Viet-Nam War. He also served in Germany and Japan. He was a rated senior navigator and served as Chief Navigator and Standardization Board Instructor Navigator during his active flying career. He also served in the air traffic control field as a chief controller, flight facilities officer and Detachment and Squadron Commander.

His military awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal Achievement, the Air Medal, The Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm and numerous service awards, including the Vietnam Service medal with four campaign stars. After retirement from the Air Force Cooper taught and coached at Holy Cross High School in San Antonio for 16 years.

He loved being a part of the Holy Cross faculty and enjoyed working with students so very much, his teams won District Championships in Football and Baseball at Holy Cross. He earned a Master's Degree in Psychology and Guidance from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1975 and served as Director of Guidance and Testing during his last years at Holy Cross. He was inducted into the Holy Cross Hall of Fame in 1998. After leaving Holy Cross, Colonel Cooper worked at St. Phillip's College in the Advisement and Assessment Center where he served as Test Administrator.

He later taught Social Psychology and Tests and measurements at Park College. He was a member of Freedoms Foundations at Valley Forge and Retired Military Officers Association. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Joseph Mark and sister, Carol. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley, the love of his life. The