Cooper Blankenship

John Cooper Blankenship, a long-time Dallas resident, passed away June 18, 2015 at the age of 85. Affectionately known to family and friends throughout his life as "Cooper," he was born to John Wilbert Blankenship and Thelma Cooper Blankenship on August 27, 1929 in Texarkana, Texas, where he spent his childhood and formative years, graduating from Texas High School. He then attended Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts for a year prior to his acceptance at Harvard University, where he was a member of the Hasty Pudding Club, the rowing crew, and the wrestling team. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Harvard in 1951 and then attended the Southern Methodist University School of Law, receiving his juris doctor (J.D.) degree in 1954, graduating third in his class. Cooper then spent sixty-one years in the private practice of law and in serving the citizens of Dallas County as the Judge of County Court at Law No. 1 from 1967-69. He likewise served the citizens of Texas in the Texas House of Representatives from 1964-65, where he worked tirelessly for the repeal of the poll tax levy against citizens for exercising their right to vote. His ongoing efforts resulted in the repeal of the poll tax with the Voters Registration Law in 1966. Dubbed by his admiring colleagues in the Dallas Bar Association as the "Potentate of Probate," Cooper served for many years as a Special Judge in the Probate Courts of Dallas County and was one of the first Texas attorneys to be Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law in 1977. He maintained that board certification throughout his life, practicing law on a daily basis as the senior partner of the firm of Blankenship, Wiland and O'Connor in Dallas until his death. He was also a popular teacher of an estate planning and probate class in the Continuing Education program at Southern Methodist University. A very social man who loved entertaining and was a talented ballroom dancer, Cooper joined the Park City Club as one of its first members in 1983 and was a member of both Who's Who International and the Dallas 200 Club. Cooper leaves behind his four adoring children and their spouses: Anne Elizabeth Blankenship, John Cooper Blankenship, Jr. and his wife Tara, Stephen William Blankenship and his wife Sharie, and Julie Kaye Michelle Blankenship, as well as the six grandchildren who were the joy of his life: Anna Cooper Blankenship, John ("Jack") Cooper Blankenship, III, Lauren Ruth Blankenship, Marc Maximillian ("Max") Mazur, Sasha Michelle Mazur and Parker William Blankenship. He also leaves behind hundreds of friends and professional colleagues who were touched by his humor and enriched by his intellect. In 2004, he was honored to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Probate & Estate Planning Section of the Dallas Bar Association. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, the Texas Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association and the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel. A memorial service for friends and family to gather and celebrate Cooper's life will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Center for Spiritual Living, 4801 Spring Valley Road, #115, Dallas, Texas 75214. - See more at: