When the 105-year-old Wylie Independent School District was considering a namesake for its third junior high school, an obvious choice emerged. Raymond B. Cooper Junior High School was dedicated on Sept. 24, 2006, honoring the local resident of more than 30 years who has exhibited generosity, compassion, enthusiasm and a spirit of civic involvement and responsibility.

Mr. Cooper's face is a familiar one throughout his community. If something is happening in Wylie, chances are great that he has helped make it happen. He developed Wylie's first industrial park and built its first office building, helped organize its chamber of commerce and economic development corporation, donated a baseball field and concession stand at its first ballpark, helped rebuild the sidewalks and install the antique lights on its Main Street and was involved in the construction of its South Ballard Street Fire Station.

The Wylie Christian Care Center and its clients have been the fortunate beneficiaries of Mr. Cooper's time and gifts in recent years. In addition to serving as its president, he donated the land and helped coordinate volunteers to construct its headquarters, where hundreds of area families receive food, clothing and utility assistance.

Mr. Cooper and his family also initiated a scholarship fund at the Community ISD for students committed to attending Collin County Community College. Nevada students also benefited as Mr. Cooper donated a building for use as a gymnasium.

Although he is retired from Universal Transformer Co., which he founded in 1957, he continues to lead two real estate companies, Land-Tex Inc. and JCM Partners LLP.

Twice named Wylie’s Citizen of the Year and listed among the Most Influential Citizens of Collin County, Mr. Cooper has served on the boards of the North Texas Municipal Water District, the Collin County Memorial Hospital and the First State Bank of Wylie. He is a member of the Wylie ISD’s District Wide Educational Improvement Council, the Wylie Lions Club and the Wylie Chamber.

Mr. Cooper and his wife, Sue, have three grown children and seven grandchildren, and will soon celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.