Bennie Gene Cooper-Class of 1946-Bennie passed away on January 19th.  Bennie grew up in the Weaver community and attended Weaver Elementary School and Timpson High School.  He was the son of Ocie Cooper. Ocie was a mailman for many years as some of you may remember.  Bennie spent most of his adult life in Coronado, CA where he taught math at Coronado High School for many years.  He will be buried in the Dixon Cemetery in Weaver beside his parents.

Obituary courtesy of Shelbycountytoday.com

Ben Gene Cooper, 83, of Coronado, CA, died January 18th 2014, with David Rothwell, life-long friend, by his side at Berland Home Care in Chula Vista, CA. He was the son of the late Osa and Josephine Cooper and was born in Timpson, Texas on March 19, 1930. Ben grew up in the Weaver Community where he attended Weaver Elementary School and the New Columbia Missionary Baptist Church. He graduated from Timpson High School in 1946 and from Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College in 1949. He began his teaching career at Redland High School in Angelina County.

Ben had his M.Ed and taught the accelerated math classes at Coronado High School from 1960-1992. He was chairman of the math department and contributed significantly to the development of the mathematics curriculum of Coronado High School. In 1962 his students entered the Mathematical Association of America’s Annual Examination and placed in the upper 10% of their region consecutively for over six years. Ben was also a coach and organizer of the school’s math team. In 1982, the Coronado Association for Gifted Students awarded him teacher of the year.
Ben was very passionate about teaching and inspired students to pursue higher education. He was a hard worker and really cared about his students. Ben was always available before and/or after school to help any student with their studies. Twice he taught a sixth math class when the normal load was five. He even taught the first calculus class offered and it was during his prep period.

Besides his dedication to his students and teaching, Ben really enjoyed traveling. Each summer he would take off to some fascinating destination, such as Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. In 1959-60 Ben had the opportunity to teach in Uganda, Africa and while there was able to travel extensively in South and East Africa.
Ben’s other hobby and passion was breeding exotic birds. When he retired from teaching, he concentrated on this fascinating hobby and was very successful. Ben even gave lectures and wrote articles on his technique and success of exotic bird breeding. Lastly, Ben appreciated his life-long friends and colleagues and enjoyed going out to lunch with them. He was a remarkable, well traveled and educated man dedicated to his friends and family and will be missed greatly!

Ben Cooper is survived by relatives in Texas: his sister Wanda Cooper Dull; nephew Dwayne Dull, DDS, his wife Louise and their two children, Dana and Lisa; nephew Donald Lawrence Dull, his wife Sandy, and their two children, Jeremy and Deric; five great-great nieces; and one great-great nephew. Also surviving is his adoptive family of over 36 years, David Rothwell of San Diego; Elaine Rothwell of Palm Desert; Nannette and John Fanelli and their three children, Jackson, Ryan, and Grace, all of New York; Jennifer and Hollis Glenn and their two children, Estelle and Harrison Cooper, all of Denver; and Brianna Rothwell of San Diego.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 3:30 PM, Saturday, March 22, 2014, in Dixon Cemetery, Timpson, TX. For additional information concerning the graveside service, please contact Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, TX, 936-254-2424.