Christopher K. "Chris" Cooper

March 8, 1975 – December 29, 2009

Chris Cooper, 34, of College Station, Texas, wonderful son, adoring husband, nurturing father, and loyal friend, left this life December 29, 2009.

Chris was a big guy (6'4") with a big heart. His warm and friendly smile and deep regard for other people earned him a host of friends. Chris grew up in College Station and was a graduate of A&M Consolidated and Texas A&M, (Class of '97).

His first job as a former student was in Austin, but he seized the chance to come home to be the sales manager for a local hotel.

After joining the University as manager of the Aggieland Visitor Center, he met the love of his life, Kristin Ware, '03, who became his wife and the mother of his much-adored 22-month old daughter, Colleen Noelle.

He joined the student affairs staff of the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health in 2006. That summer he was also honored as a Fish Camp namesake. He truly appreciated the opportunity to build a career with the University he loved.

An avid sports fan, Chris enthusiastically engaged in both the thrills and frustrations of the Aggie athletic program. While he enjoyed all sports, his true passion was Aggie Basketball. Chris and his father were season ticket holders who rarely missed a game.

He relished seeing the Aggies succeed, but was a loyal-fan even when wins were hard to come by. He loved sharing his passion with his daughter, taking her to her first game before she was one year old.

Chris was a true friend. He was fiercely loyal, un-selfish, and had an innate gift for bring people together. As the commissioner of his fantasy football league, Chris gathered friends from throughout his life to create an outlet for pure fun and competition.

This year he won the championship and was so proud to finally put his name on the trophy. He loved the game but he really loved the chance to play with his friends every week.

As a man who appreciated his many blessings, Chris loved the life he had created with his wife and daughter. They were at the center of the shining moments in his life. Colleen is "Dada's girl" and she brought him incredible joy.

He and Kristin shared a great love, and the best six years of their lives. Chris was the rock, the jester, and the heart of his family. He will be missed more than words can express.

Chris is survived by his wife, Kristin and daughter, Colleen; parents, Kerry and Maryvonne Cooper of College Station; sister and brother-in-law, Danielle and Sundhar Annamalai and their daughter, Sophie Louise Veni of Flower Mound, Texas; grandparents, William and Louise Baker of DeQuincy, Louisiana, and many uncles, aunts, cousins, and dear friends.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 7, 2010, at Memorial Funeral Chapel – College Station.

Services are set for 4 p.m. Friday, January 8, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Carter Creek Parkway, Bryan, Texas.

Interment will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, January 9, at Memorial Cemetery of College Station and Aggie Field of Honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colleen Cooper College Fund, with checks payable to the First Presbyterian Church of Bryan, 1100 Carter Creek Parkway, Bryan, Texas 77802 and "Colleen Cooper College Fund" noted on the check memo line.

Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.mem.com.