Marvin Lee Cooper

Marvin Lee “Mert” Cooper 83 of Canadian, surrounded by family, passed to the other side of the river on August 30, 2025.

A celebration of Mert’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, September 8, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church of Canadian. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Marvin Lee (Mert) Cooper was born on October 17, 1941, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo, the third son of Verdalee and Marvin Cooper. Growing up, he was all boy, and enjoyed his early years among extended family in Lefors, dreaming up fun and mischief along the way. Skills acquired in the Boy Scouts continued to be utilized throughout Mert’s life as he shared his love of the Rocky Mountains with family and friends. His school years were spent in Pampa, where he excelled as a star athlete and respected student leader. He had many great memories of being part of Pampa’s State Championship basketball team in 1958 & 1959.

Mert was called to the ministry as a teenager and pursued his education for the ministry at McMurry University and Perkins School of Theology, SMU, and earning his Doctorate of Ministry through Graduate Theological Foundation. After seminary, he served churches in Vernon, Polk Street Methodist in Amarillo, Stinnett, Lubbock, and Memphis. On September 2, 1961, Mert married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lee Abraham. Together they completed their education and went on to fulfill the challenges and joys of ministry.

In 1976, Mert made a career change and moved to Canadian, Betty’s hometown, to go into the oil business with Betty’s father, Malouf Abraham. It was a whole new world with its own joys and challenges, but he never left the ministry. He continued to serve as guest minister to churches around the Panhandle, including his home church, First Presbyterian Church in Canadian, and notably served Trinity Presbyterian of Perryton monthly for many years, starting in 1976.

Mert was a driving force in raising funds for the establishment of the Canadian YMCA, now Canadian Community Center. He served on the Board of Trustees of McMurry University and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Mert, realizing that it’s never too late to become a cowboy, embraced the opportunity to go into ranching with his son Clay in 1998, thoroughly enjoying yet another career.

Throughout his life, he was a runner who completed over twenty marathons, a pilot with over 6,500 hours, a deep-sea diver in the South Pacific and an all-around adventurer. Mert loved planting trees, beginning as young pastor in the communities he served. He was also a visionary megalithic artist. His curiosity led him to experience parts unknown, both in the US and abroad, with his fellow vagabond Betty at his side.

Mert and Betty made a major mark on Canadian when in 1999 they bought an unsightly city block on the South end of Canadian and transformed it into Sunset Park, with tree-lined walking paths and outdoor art. They dedicated the Park to Iris and Malouf Abraham in honor of their lifetime of giving to Canadian and beyond. They then donated the Park to the City.

The great treasure of Mert’s life were his children, Kelley and husband Cory, Conrad and wife Beth, and Clay. His favorite job was as Granddad to his beloved grandkids - Cameron, Olivia, Colton, Hunter, and Kathleen. He cherished his chosen family Todd, Heather, Claire and Spencer. Mert had a life that was rich and full, and he asks that those who remember him will do so in ways that spread love and joy to the world. Happy Trails!

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be considered to:

Hemphill County Hospice 1020 S. 4th Street Canadian, TX 79014; Palo Duro Presbytery’s Celebration Scholarship PO Box 1627 Lubbock, TX 79490; Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary 100 E. 27th Street Austin, TX 78705