DENNIS WARREN COOPER 70, died October 29, 2013 after a 2 year battle with Leukemia. Dennis was born on October 16, 1943 in LaPeer, Michigan and lived in a number of other states, including Texas, growing up. He was a celebrated high school athlete at Ionia High School in Ionia Michigan - Quarterbacking the football team, as well as playing basketball and golf. Dennis graduated valedictorian of his class and went on to attend the University of Michigan and married his high-school sweetheart, Shari Geisel Cooper. Although the marriage ended, Dennis and Shari were blessed with a daughter, Teresa Lee Cooper Walden - his only child and one of his proudest joys in life. Dennis transferred his studies to the University of Texas in 1966, where he received a B.S. in mathematics and a M.B.A in finance, and also completed all of his course work for a Ph.D. Following his studies, Dennis remained in Austin, Texas and had a successful career in real estate and finance, including serving as CFO of Schlotzsky's Inc. Dennis enjoyed eating at the original Schlotzsky's on South Congress Avenue prior to its transformation into a national retail food chain. In 1991, Dennis went to run a marathon in Honolulu, HI and decided to move there for a Hawaiian adventure that lasted 16 years. Dennis loved his time in Hawaii and lived just blocks away from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world in Kailua, HI, and the Kalapawai Market. Dennis' passion was scuba diving and he served as a Dive Master for locals and tourists with over 500 dives. He also fulfilled a dream of traveling to and diving at the Fuji Islands. Dennis did have a "day job" in Hawaii as a Mortgage Broker for Mid-Pacific Mortgage. Through his work, he made several long-time friends, including local realtors, who were dear to him. During his time in Hawaii, Dennis enjoyed serving as host to his daughter and siblings and their families who traveled to see the beautiful islands. Dennis' other interests and hobbies included watching Texas and UofH football and men's basketball, and Texas and UofH women's volleyball and basketball. He also enjoyed jogging, reading, music and sports cars. His first car was a Metropolitan and from there he went on to own a Jaguar, Camaro, two Corvettes, a Mazda Miata, and most recently a Mini-Cooper convertible. Dennis enjoyed being a grandfather to his two grandsons, Ryan Tucker Walden and Michael Cooper Walden. He was known as "Grandpa Coop" to them and traveled numerous times from Hawaii to spend time playing with them. Dennis retired in Austin, Texas in 2007 in order to be closer to his daughter and grandsons and enjoyed many hours playing and swimming with them and attending their sports and band activities. His other 2 loves were his adopted cats, Wookie and Henry. Dennis is survived by his daughter and grandsons, sister Nancy Cooper Duggan, brother Larry George Cooper and his wife Judy Cooper, brother Douglas Arthur Cooper and his wife Linda Cooper, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased in death by his father, Randall Eugene Cooper, his mother, Kella Eddy Cooper, his brother, Randall Eugene Cooper, Jr, and his nephew Craig Wilson Cooper. A memorial service honoring Dennis will be held Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd. Austin, Texas 78750. In lieu of flowers, Dennis requested that contributions be made to Austin Pets Alive! www.austinpetsalive.org or a shelter of your choice that does not euthanize animals. To share condolences with Dennis' family please visit our website at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com
DENNIS WARREN COOPER 70, died October 29, 2013 after a 2 year battle with Leukemia. Dennis was born on October 16, 1943 in LaPeer, Michigan and lived in a number of other states, including Texas, growing up. He was a celebrated high school athlete at Ionia High School in Ionia Michigan - Quarterbacking the football team, as well as playing basketball and golf. Dennis graduated valedictorian of his class and went on to attend the University of Michigan and married his high-school sweetheart, Shari Geisel Cooper. Although the marriage ended, Dennis and Shari were blessed with a daughter, Teresa Lee Cooper Walden - his only child and one of his proudest joys in life. Dennis transferred his studies to the University of Texas in 1966, where he received a B.S. in mathematics and a M.B.A in finance, and also completed all of his course work for a Ph.D. Following his studies, Dennis remained in Austin, Texas and had a successful career in real estate and finance, including serving as CFO of Schlotzsky's Inc. Dennis enjoyed eating at the original Schlotzsky's on South Congress Avenue prior to its transformation into a national retail food chain. In 1991, Dennis went to run a marathon in Honolulu, HI and decided to move there for a Hawaiian adventure that lasted 16 years. Dennis loved his time in Hawaii and lived just blocks away from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world in Kailua, HI, and the Kalapawai Market. Dennis' passion was scuba diving and he served as a Dive Master for locals and tourists with over 500 dives. He also fulfilled a dream of traveling to and diving at the Fuji Islands. Dennis did have a "day job" in Hawaii as a Mortgage Broker for Mid-Pacific Mortgage. Through his work, he made several long-time friends, including local realtors, who were dear to him. During his time in Hawaii, Dennis enjoyed serving as host to his daughter and siblings and their families who traveled to see the beautiful islands. Dennis' other interests and hobbies included watching Texas and UofH football and men's basketball, and Texas and UofH women's volleyball and basketball. He also enjoyed jogging, reading, music and sports cars. His first car was a Metropolitan and from there he went on to own a Jaguar, Camaro, two Corvettes, a Mazda Miata, and most recently a Mini-Cooper convertible. Dennis enjoyed being a grandfather to his two grandsons, Ryan Tucker Walden and Michael Cooper Walden. He was known as "Grandpa Coop" to them and traveled numerous times from Hawaii to spend time playing with them. Dennis retired in Austin, Texas in 2007 in order to be closer to his daughter and grandsons and enjoyed many hours playing and swimming with them and attending their sports and band activities. His other 2 loves were his adopted cats, Wookie and Henry. Dennis is survived by his daughter and grandsons, sister Nancy Cooper Duggan, brother Larry George Cooper and his wife Judy Cooper, brother Douglas Arthur Cooper and his wife Linda Cooper, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased in death by his father, Randall Eugene Cooper, his mother, Kella Eddy Cooper, his brother, Randall Eugene Cooper, Jr, and his nephew Craig Wilson Cooper. A memorial service honoring Dennis will be held Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd. Austin, Texas 78750. In lieu of flowers, Dennis requested that contributions be made to Austin Pets Alive! www.austinpetsalive.org or a shelter of your choice that does not euthanize animals. To share condolences with Dennis' family please visit our website at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.comOur deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
