Charles (Chuck) B. Cooper

Charles (Chuck) B. Cooper passed away peacefully at home on September 1, 2025. At his request, there will be no services.

Chuck was born on May 5, 1938, in Seattle, Washington, to Byron S. and Helen Lamb Cooper. He graduated from Highline High School, where he was recognized as a National Merit Scholar. He attended Yale University before earning his B.A. in economics with a minor in industrial engineering from the University of Washington. He later received his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, where he served on Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif.

Chuck began his career in law, spending eight years in the field, including time as a law clerk for the Washington State Supreme Court. He later transitioned into the corporate insurance industry, where he held several leadership roles: interim Chief Operating Officer of Financial Industries Group; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Georgia International Life; counsel and assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Holding Corp; and Vice President and assistant to the CEO of Commonwealth Life. In 1975, he moved to Waco, Texas, where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of American Income Life Insurance Company and later at American Amiable.

Chuck was deeply engaged in professional and community service. He served as Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee for Action Industries; Director of United Way of Waco from 1978–1984, including a term as chairman; Director of the Life Office Management Association (LOMA); and Chairman of the LOMA Educational Council. Together with his wife, Kathy, he also helped establish the Waco Library Foundation. Many books they donated to the Waco Library include Chuck’s hand-written reviews, a reflection of his love for reading.

A lifelong learner, Chuck encouraged others to pursue education and knowledge. At American Income, he created opportunities for employees to further their education, including a program enabling them to earn Associate Degrees. Beyond his passion for learning, Chuck had a deep love for animals. Over the years, he and Kathy cared for four cats, a Siberian husky, six German shepherds, a Shetland sheepdog, and their current companions—a cat and a dog.

Chuck is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 38 years, Kathy Bolt Cooper; daughter, Cathy Champion, and her husband Brad of Atlanta, Georgia; son, Charles B. (Charlie) Cooper, Jr., and his wife Christy of Sugar Land, Texas; three grandchildren; and his beloved cat, Kitty, his constant companion.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Chuck’s memory with a donation to your favorite local library or animal rescue shelter. Kathy extends heartfelt thanks to the staff and caregivers of Right At Home home health care service, especially Dorothy, who cared for Chuck with compassion, dignity, love, and grace.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Chuck in his “Memorial Guestbook” below.

In loving memory of Chuck, a complimentary memorial keepsake of your choice is available here: Memorial Keepsake.