Charles Blanden Cooney answered the call of Jesus to come home on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. He was born in Warren, Pennsylvania on January 30, 1924, to Willis and Elaine Cooney. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother James W. Cooney.
Charles is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marji Cooney of Fair Oaks Ranch; his sons Mark Cooney of San Jose, California, Eric Larson of Sisterdale, and Daniel Larson of San Antonio; his grandson Justin Boone and wife Amanda and their children Marissa, Ethan, Ryan, Ashley, and Chase; his granddaughters Katie Boone and Corey, Erinn, and Summer Larson; his brother, John Cooney of Houston; his sister Elaine Spiller and husband Walter of Edinboro, Pennsylvania; his brother inlaw, Kenny Rundall and wife MaryAnn of Omaha, Nebraska; his beloved sisterinChrist, Marion Jorgenson and husband Terry; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Charles grew up in Warren, Pennsylvania. He joined the US Army Infantry when he was 18 and was commissioned in Brisbane, Australia in 1944. He became a Captain in Field Artillery and fought during World War II in the Pacific Theater. During his service, he received two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and awards from Australia, Netherlands, and Philippine Governments. After he was discharged, he graduated from Ohio State University with a Master's Degree in Journalism. He set out on a road trip to find a job and his first stop was his last. When all of his belongings were stolen out of his car on an overnight stop in Houston, he decided he would stay and find a job there. He went to work as an Advertising Manager for Foley's and later worked at the Houston Post.
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CHARLES COONEY
In 1959, he graduated from Rutgers University School of Banking. He started his 40 year banking career as a loan officer and retired as having served several major banks in Houston and San Antonio as President and CEO. Throughout the years, he was involved with numerous civic and professional organizations, often serving as president, board member, director, or chairman.
Charles possessed a distinctive, commanding presence that drew people to him. He was truly interested in people and had a way of subtly interviewing others and learning all about them while never revealing much about himself. The light of his life was his grandchildren whom he adored. It was because of them that he developed a relationship with Jesus Christ. His final words were, "Yesyes, God.okay!"
The funeral will be Monday, December 3, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Boerne. Interment will take place at a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Charles' life, please visit www.ebensbergerfisher.com and select the Obituaries tab. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Boerne Mission Fund, 631 South School Street, Boerne, TX 78006.
Arrangements with EbensbergerFisher Funeral Home of Boerne, TX.