Ralph Edwin Cooper was born in Houston, Texas to strong Christian parents, Tine and Gertrude Cooper. He was the second oldest of four children from this union and grew up in the Hardy Street community where he began his education at James D. Ryan Elementary School. He played Little League baseball for the Ryon Sports Association, coached by Herman (Boola) Smith. He also played for the Pony League and Pony Grad teams coached by Mr. Earl Henderson. Ralph attended Kashmere Gardens Junior and Senior High School from 1958-1964 where he graduated with the class of 1964. Ralph excelled in sports where he was the 1963-64 co-captain of both the Kashmere baseball and basketball teams. He was voted the most valuable player of the baseball team in 1962 and was being observed by athletic scouts when an eye injury while playing for Kashmere ended his baseball career. The basketball team was Co-City and District Champions, and was the State Tournament representatives in 1964 where they lost in the finals to Beaumont Charlton Pollard.Ralph was also Voted “Personality Plus” by his 1964 senior class.
Ralph started his professional career as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in 1969. Loved by many on his mail routes, Ralph would receive numerous cakes, pies, cookies and other gifts from people of all walks of life during the holidays. He retired from the postal service in 2010.
As a young man, Ralph was a member of Buck Street Memorial Church of God in Christ until he joined Pleasant Grove Missionary Church. As an adult, with God and service being important in his life, he became a member of Hopewell Baptist Church from 1969-1982, where he served as President of the Usher Board and Deacon in training. He was a member of Brentwood Baptist Church from 1982-2004 where he was active in the male chorus for over twenty years. While a member, he traveled to many states across the country to sing.
In 2004 he joined The Fort Bend Church and currently sings baritone as a member of the church choir, male chorus and The Fort Bend Church chorale.
Ralph is the father of four children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild and has been married to Toni Perkins Cooper for 45 years.
Always being asked about his name that he shares with another known Houstonian, his witty response is always “Yes I am “THE” Ralph Cooper but not “THAT” Ralph Cooper”.
