Austin Wayne Cooper

Austin Wayne Cooper, 65, passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2007, in Albuquerque. He was preceded in death by his parents, George B. Cooper and Callie Ree Cooper. He is survived by one brother, Thomas Cooper and family from McKinney, Texas and one sister, Anne (Cooper) York and family in Nashville, Tenn. Austin was born in Carlsbad, N.M. on May 7, 1942. He lived there until his family moved to Altus, Okla., in 1949 and then to Moses Lake in 1952. He attended public schools and graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1960. After attending Washington State University for two years, Austin enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from August of 1962 through September of 1964. After his discharge, he returned to school at Central Washington State University. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968, he served as Head Resident of the Men's Residence Halls and as Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Men. He then held a similar position at the University of Houston before becoming the Religious Activities Coordinator at the University of Houston. In 1975, Austin moved to Los Angeles where he served for several years with the U.S. Immigration Service. In 1993, he moved back to Albuquerque in order to care for his aging parents. While in Albuquerque he worked on a seasonal basis with the Internal Revenue Service. He was best known in his neighborhood community through his service as a precinct judge at elections. He was an active member of the University Church of Christ in Albuquerque. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at 2 p.m., at Chester T. French Memorial Mausoleum Chapel at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. N.E. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Albuquerque Christian Children's Home, 5700 Winter Haven Drive N.W., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120.