Donald Eugene Cooper

Don Cooper, age 68, passed away January 4, 2006 at the Stonebridge Health Center in Austin, Texas. Donnie was born in Austin on October 9, 1937 to Claude and Clara Cooper. He attended Austin public schools and graduated from Travis High in 1956 where he played and lettered in football and baseball. Donnie and his two brothers, Dewey and Billy, worked with their father in the masonry construction business where they gained a reputation as some of Austin's finest brick and stone masons. The Cooper family is still active in the stone business. On July 5, 1957 Donnie married Eileen (Pat) Patton, the girl he met at Gillis Park as a boy, and began a marriage that will endure thru all time and eternity. He loved and adored Pat more than life itself from the day he met her and will forever. In 1960 Donnie and Pat joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where Donnie was a key contributor to the church's growth in Austin and served diligently in any position that he was asked to fulfill. He served in various capacities working with the youth, and serving as Bishop of both the Austin First Ward and of the University Ward. While Bishop of the University Ward he and his wife Pat were like second parents to the many students who were away from home for the first time. Donnie was known for his keen sense humor, often the mastermind behind a good practical joke. He enjoyed baseball, football, basketball, golf, and hunting. Most of all he enjoyed his family, including his parents, brothers, sisters, son, and grandsons. Donnie and Pat thoroughly enjoyed spending time with their closet friends and surrounded themselves with people that were positive influences. He loved and lived life to the fullest. He is survived by his son, Troy; grandsons, Cole and Lucas; his sisters, Jackie Menking, Vina Moody and husband Gil; brothers, Dewey and wife Sarah, Billy and wife Brenda; and various cousins, nieces and nephews all of Austin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; infant son, Jeffrey; parents, Claude and Clara; and his sister, Violet. The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff of the Stonebridge Health Center for their loving care in making Don's final years comfortable. Visitation will be held from 8:00 a.m.- 9:45 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2006 at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home. Funeral Service will follow at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Live Oak Cemetery in Manchaca, Texas. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com