A memorial service for Silas Newton Cooper will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church of Bangs. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2013, at the Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood.
Newte was the son of Roy and Edith Cooper, born August 30, 1925, in Shidler, Oklahoma. He grew up in Anderson, Missouri. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy in 1943. He went to radio school at Texas A&M and served as seaman first class radioman on the USS South Dakota in WWII. His ship was the most decorated battleship in the war, and he was able to witness from his battleship, the signing of the peace treaty to end the war. Upon his return to the US, he graduated from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma with a teaching degree. He moved to Odessa, Texas and taught for many years. There he met his wife, Betty Jean Harris, and they were married on April 17, 1954.
Newte had an extensive teaching career as a history and government teacher, coach and dean in Odessa, Texas, and as a history teacher in Brownwood, Texas, before retiring in 1985. To this day his family is told by former students that Newte was their favorite teacher.
Newte was a member of Central United Methodist Church of Brownwood, the Texas Retired Teachers Association, the American Legion, Dallas Houston’s Bible study group and the Sunday morning Bible study group. From 1989-2005, he and Betty served as the Texas Federation of Music Club Folk Music chairs, and performed across the state of Texas. Newte was best known for his love of music and fiddle playing, and he and Betty played for many services, retirement communities, and music programs over the years, bringing joy and life to all audiences. His love and faith was seen in his many friendships, service and activities in Brownwood. He loved the outdoors and spent many weekends with his family fishing, enjoying the creek, talking and singing around the campfire, and eating great meals at the family farm outside of Bangs. His devotion to Jesus was evident to all, and his bright smile and encouraging heart was a gift to everyone he met.
Newte is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Betty. He is also survived by his two sons; Steve, and his wife, Karen, of Houston, Texas; and Thomas, and his wife, Tara, of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren Laura and husband David Gilles of Denver, Colorado; Carl and his wife Alissa Cooper of Austin; and Tiffany Cooper of Orlando, Florida. He is also survived by his brother, Vernon Cooper of Georgetown and his sister, Myrna Collier of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Newte was blessed with many nieces, nephews and loved all of his extended family dearly. Newte was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother and a sister.
Memorial gifts may be made to Waking the Passion ministries, 11511 Katy Freeway #601, Houston, Texas, 77079, or a charity of your choice. Condolences for the family may be left at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home.