Lynn Ray Cooper passed away on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in Austin, shortly after attending a University of Texas football game. He was born on Oct. 3, 1943, in Dallas to Raymond and Countis Cooper and moved to Corsicana in 1951 and attended Robert E. Lee Elementary School.
Lynn graduated from Corsicana High School in 1962 and attended Navarro College for one year, where he served as freshman class president. He graduated from The University of Texas in 1966, receiving a degree in government and history. Lynn and his wife, Andrea Cooper, met at The University of Texas and married on June 25, 1966. They made their home in Corsicana in 1973.
Lynn served in a Naval Air Reserve Intelligence Unit from 1967 through 1972. He began his career in insurance in 1967 in Houston. He moved to Alice, to manage his first agency before returning to Corsicana. Lynn served on the board of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, where he was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Agent of Texas in 1983.
Lynn had a passion for the City of Corsicana and dedicated his life to serving his community. He was a current member of the Navarro Community Foundation. He was a lifelong member and former president of the Corsicana Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris fellow. He is the past president of the Corsicana Chamber of Commerce, where he also served for many years as chairman of the Industrial Team. He took great pleasure in his opportunities with the Industrial Team to bring new business to his beloved hometown. In 1983, he was the recipient of the K. Wolens Distinguished Service Award for his community service. He served two terms on the Navarro College Board of Trustees. He was board chairman of Navarro Regional Hospital. He served on the board of deacons of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He served on The Salvation Army and Warehouse Living Arts Center boards and a host of specialized committees. He was also past president of the YMCA, which he continued to support and serve throughout his life.
Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Countis Cooper; brother, Dean Cooper; and niece, Deanna Coyle.
His family includes wife, Andrea Cooper; sister, Dorothy Malcolm Jones; son, Kelly Cooper, and daughter-in-law, Catherine Lougheed; daughter, Erin Burgy, and son-in-law, Christopher Burgy; and granddaughters, Livia Claire Burgy and Cooper Elizabeth Burgy.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Darla Blatnik officiating and the Rev. B.F. Risinger Jr. assisting. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana.
Pallbearers will be David Ralston, Ken Tomlinson, Ken French, Oliver Albritton, Frank Dunn, Terry Seth, Bill Maupin and C.L. Brown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Corsicana YMCA, 400 Oaklawn Drive, Corsicana, TX 75110.
An online guest book is available at www.corleyfuneralhome.com by selecting the Lynn Ray Cooper obituary.
Arrangements by Corley Funeral Home.
