Wesley William Cooper, Jr.

Wesley William Cooper, Jr. Businessman, family man, passed away February 14, 2010 at the age of 92. Wes joined his beloved sweetheart, wife of 64 years, on this Valentine's Day, just a few weeks away from their wedding anniversary.

Wes was born in Beaumont, TX and grew up in Mission, TX. At Mission High School he excelled in sports, playing football, track, swimming, and tennis. After Business College he formed Cooper Insurance Agency in Mission. As a young man, he owned his own airplane and participated in air show events in his spare time. Flying was his love and one of his favorite events to enter was the Toilet Paper Cutting Contest, where the pilot must try to cut the paper that has been thrown out of the plane.

After falling in love and marrying the love of his life, Jane, he moved his young bride to Beaumont, to work for Sun Oil Co., where his first daughter, Jan, was born. He later was offered a position at Superior Ins. Co. in Dallas, where his second daughter, Carol was born.

Years later, he moved his family to Port Arthur, TX where he worked with his uncle, Earl Fae Cooper, on several business ventures. Being the family man that he was, two little girls weren't enough, so his third daughter was born, Gladys Fae, being named after his close uncle and aunt, Gladys Cooper.

Always striving to improve the quality of life of his young family, they moved to their final destination of San Antonio, where he was an executive with American Founders Life Ins. Co. Later he joined a group of 14 bankers to form Texas Savings Life Ins. Co. He was part owner in Fair Oaks Ranch Limited Property Project and one of the founding members of Fair Oaks Country Club where he loved to play golf and dine.

He was an exceptional speaker and served as President of San Antonio Downtown Toastmasters Club and Dale Carnegie. He was also a member of the Texas Insurance Speaker's Bureau. He and his wife were founding members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and later members of St. Helena's in Boerne.

After the passing of his wife, he resided at Morningside Ministries Meadows Retirement Facility where he served as Lay Reader, was very active socially, and popular with the ladies. The last months of his life were spent living at Emeritus at Oak Well Farms, close to his daughter, Gladys, where he loved all the caring staff members.

The family remembers his love of the outdoors and weekend trips to their cabin in Vanderpool, along with his beloved dog, where he relaxed and cooked steaks on the outdoor campfire. He will be remembered for his love of family, wonderful sense of humor, infectious smile, and kind heart.

His survivors include, daughters and sons in law, Jan and Dennis Klingbeil, Carol and Don Cody, Gladys and Mike Montgomery, granddaughter Gaye Lynn Boyer, husband Doug, grandsons David Guest, wife Teresa, Michael Montgomery, Brian Montgomery, wife Elise, great grandchildren Preston Boyer and Isabelle Montgomery, and favorite cousin, Earl Fae Cooper, Jr. Eldridge. The family extends its gratitude and appreciation for the loving care given to Wesley by the staff of Emeritus at Oakwell Farms and Alamo Hospice.

MEMORIAL SERVICE CELEBRATING HIS LIFE

MONDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2010

11:00 A.M.

ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

11 ST. LUKE'S LANE

SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209

The Rev. David G. Read will be officiating.

Contributions may be given to Alamo Hospice, 114 West Glenview, Ste.100, San Antonio, TX 78228, or St. Luke's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 11 St. Luke's Lane, San Antonio, TX 78209, or charity of your choice.