Charles James Cooper

Charles James Cooper, 81, of Smithville, Texas passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, two days before his 82nd birthday.  Charles was born in Austin, TX on February 12, 1939, son of Clyde and Letha (Screws) Cooper.  

Charles grew up and went to school in Manchaca, TX.  Charles went to work for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) as a line construction worker.  He continued to work for the LCRA for the next 34 years in the Transmission Services department until his retirement in 1994.  Charles enjoyed his work keeping the lights on in Central Texas, he made many lifelong friends at LCRA and retired as a transmission line supervisor leading a crew of 15 men. Charles was most proud of his outstanding safety record and won numerous awards during his time at LCRA.   Throughout his career and life, Charles was known to all as “Coop” and even his doctors and hospice nurses called him Coop.  

Coop was active with showing cutting horses and paint horses and raising cattle during his younger years.  He took special pride in using his dogs to manage livestock for others and spent many weekends at the local rodeos.  He had many good stories about his rides, the people of the rodeo and his favorite horses.  Coop also loved to hunt and fish. He spent much of his free time fishing on the Gulf Coast at Indianola and on the Colorado River.  Some of his children’s best memories of their dad revolve around two-stepping with Coop at old Texas dance halls, hunting big bucks and Coop maneuvering around the old Smithville bridge on the Colorado River in a Jon boat like he had done it a hundred times.  

Coop was known to neighbors, family and friends for his barbeque.  Most weekends, you could find Coop sitting in the shade, tending the pit cooking his favorite brisket.  Coop enjoyed the smoke, being outside, visiting with friends and drinking a cold beer more than the actual meal. No one loved gardening more than Coop.  He grew a large garden every Spring and Fall and shared his vegetables with neighbors and family.  All his neighbors knew Coop had bragging rights to the largest tomato or head of broccoli.  Coop lived a long and colorful life and anyone stopping by for a visit could expect to be entertained for hours with his stories.

Coop is survived by his wife of 25 years, Cindy Louise  (Knight) Cooper, one daughter Deanna Toddy and her husband Steve of La Grange, TX, two sons,  Blaine Cooper and his wife Francine of Elgin, TX, and Alan Ferris and his wife Denise of Round Top, TX, one sister-in-law, Peggy Hessler and husband James of Sommerville, TX,  four grandchildren, Taylor and Ty Toddy, Amber Bishop and Ashley Ferris, five great grandchildren, Coltin, Chase, Byntlee, Adalyn and Bowen, two nephews, Daniel and Dwayne, his faithful dog Maggie and cat Monahans.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 6 brothers, Clyde Jr., Jimmie, Jerry, Danny, Edward and Bobby.

The memorial service is pending.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Resolutions Hospice, 507 Old Austin Hwy, Bastrop, TX 78602.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gipson Pendergrass-People’s Mortuary, LLC.  Friends and family can share a memory at www.pendergrasspeoplesmortuary.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles James Cooper, please visit our floral store.