Colonel Irven Roland Cooper Jr. DVM

Born: December 24, 1921

Death Date: November 29, 2022

Celebrating the Life of Colonel Irven Roland Cooper, Jr. DVM

“Buddie” as he was known by friends, was born in Uniontown, Alabama on December 24, 1921 to Dr. Irven Roland Cooper, Sr. DVM and Mattiel McKnight-Cooper. He was surrounded by three sisters. That didn’t keep Buddie from following his father’s example, both having graduating from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and serving in the United States Army, Senior in World War I, and Junior in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam for a career encompassing 33 years. During World War II, Buddie was a food inspector on the Queen Mary/Grey Ghost when she came to port in New York.

Shortly after WWII, Buddie married the love of his life, Helen Althea Weir on November 2, 1946, and they moved to Ridgeland, South Carolina where he started a private veterinary practice. He also earned his private pilot certificate. Buddie masterfully, safely performed an engine out emergency landing in a corn field, then treated the farmer’s pigs for corn damage compensation. This story, one of many, along with numerous outings to watch U.S. Air Force jets, would inspire his middle son, Larry and youngest son, Fletch to have Air Force and civilian pilot careers. Col. Cooper also made an impact on his eldest son, Irven Roland Cooper, III (preceded in death) motivating him to voluntarily serve in Vietnam, and then on to become a career school teacher.

Buddie’s bright, energetic and generous personality touched countless lives. He always “accentuated the positive” every day. From coaching little league, leading Boy Scout and Explorer Troops, commanding the Windcrest American Legion, and assisting at the Fort Sam Houston Main Post Chapel services, to just being a caring neighbor and steadfast friend, Buddie was always involved. He made family a priority. Organizing the Cooper family reunions in South Carolina was an event he enjoyed planning every summer.

Road trips and adventures were numerous throughout the years where he took Helen and his three boys all over the world. There was hardly a national park, museum or point of interest bypassed. From the Smithsonian, Dodge City or Kitty Hawk to the German Alps or Taroko Gorge in Taiwan, Buddie made sure his family experienced what was out there to behold.

Col. Cooper is survived by his wife, Helen, and his sons, Lawrence Melvin, Fletcher McKnight and his wife, Zindi, three grandchildren, Shelley Cooper-Kirkland, DVM, and her husband Aaron, Matthew McKnight Cooper/and his wife, Megan, Laura Ashley Cooper, three great-grandchildren, Lilly Kirkland, Owen Cooper and Crosby Cooper, and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Irven Roland Cooper, Sr., and Mattiel McKnight Cooper, sisters, Mattiel Dorsey Cooper-Terry, Agnes Cooper-Hunt, Mozelle Cooper-Oswald, and son, Irven Roland Cooper, III.

Buddie was a man ”glass full,” always reaching out to greet, welcome and include others. He would end every phone call with his iconic wish to you and a toast to his alma mater, so once again, “God Bless and War Eagle.” Funeral services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218 on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

*The brunch and visitation will be at: 10:00 a.m.

Sunset Funeral Home

*Funeral Service will begin at: 11:20 a.m.

Sunset Funeral Home

*Funeral Procession begins at: 12:20 p.m.

Please follow the lead car at Sunset Funeral Home to precede to the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for a committal service with military honors at 1:00 p.m. situated at shelter one. Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is located on 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78219.

Chaplain: James Taylor

Pallbearers: Members from the American Legion Post 593 (Formally American Legion Post 612) in addition to the Uniformed Veterinary Medicine Association Members.

In lieu of flowers, Buddie Cooper’s family suggests memorial donations be made out to:

*Uniformed Veterinary Medicine Association (UVMA)

Note on the bottom of your check “Caisson Platoon”

*Mail to:

Uniformed Veterinary Medicine Association (UVMA)

P.O. Box 341123

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234