Felix Lester Cooper

Felix Lester (Les) Cooper, 90, joined his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 16, 2014. Les was born on September 11, 1923, in Kosse, Limestone County, Texas; the youngest child of Albert James Cooper and Mattie Sue Shull.Les spent his early years in Kosse and Mexia. In 1930, his parents moved to a farm in Navarro County just outside of Dawson. Although he and his four siblings remained quiet about the subject, one can only imagine the mischief they got into while on the farm. Les graduated from Dawson High School in 1942. Taking into consideration the demands of his parent’s farm, two brothers in active military service and a father’s seat on the Navarro County draft board, Les’ military service was delayed. He worked his parent’s farm until 1948 when he went to work for Magnolia Petroleum Company, who sent him to Brownfield, TX. Less than one year later, Uncle Sam remembered Les and invited him to attend basic training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. From basic training, he was assigned to the 707th Ordnance Maintenance Company where he served as part of the occupation forces in Sendai, Japan. Les learned a deep respect for the Japanese people which he passed on to his children. After military service, Les returned to Magnolia Petroleum Company and worked in Morgan City, Louisiana before returning to the Pegasus Camp in west Texas in 1952.In March 1955, a West Texas sandstorm gave Les a sinus infection for which he sought relief from Dr. Jack Turner in Odessa. Little did he know that the love of his life, Jacqueline Davidson, wielded the syringes in Dr. Turner’s office. When her young children, Ed and Jackie, wrapped Les around their little fingers, all hope for a carefree bachelorhood was lost. Les and Jackie were married on June 16, 1956 in Denton, TX. Youngest son, Roger, joined the team in 1959. After assignments in Electra and Lubbock, the family settled in Midland in 1966. Les retired from Mobil Oil Corporation in 1983.On December 30, 1960, Les was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason at McKinsey Lodge in Lubbock. This began a lifetime of service to his fellow man which included work in the Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite bodies. Les served for many years as secretary of the Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation. He served as Worshipful Master in both Midland Lodge 623 and Stanton Lodge 951. For his dedication to the craft, Les was awarded the Golden Trowel in 2001 and Inspector General Honorary 33° Scottish Rite in 2007. Many Eagle Scouts from Midland counted on Les for mentorship when working on Eagle rank.Family celebrating Les’ life includes his wife of 57 years, Jacqueline Davidson Cooper; son Edward A. Cooper and wife Vairee of Lubbock; daughter Jacqueline J. Holmes and husband Bill of Burton; son Roger Cooper and wife Melanie of Rowlett. Les was also blessed with six grandchildren, David Holmes, Wendy Massey, Lindsay Cooper, Michael Holmes, Andy Cooper and Scott Cooper, plus five great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by both parents, brothers Albert Joray Cooper, Sr., Roy C. Cooper and Troy C. Cooper, sister Barbara G. Cooper, grandsons Richard Todd Cooper and Mark Edward Cooper.The family will receive friends and loved ones at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. A Celebration of Life service for Les will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 1:00 PM at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3011 W. Kansas in Midland, with Rev. Kathryn Boren officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to either the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas TX 75219, or St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Midland.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,