Page 59 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2026 - Online Magazine
P. 59
Exceptional
SENIORS
Marshall Cooper
How to Make
a Difference
by Barbara Jensen
arshall Cooper was raised Marshall met Wanda in the fourth housing. In 1987, Marshall helped
in Odessa, where his grade, and the two lifelong friends Girlstown merge with Cal Farley’s
Mfather owned a “junk” married in December 1954. Also, he Boys Ranch to better provide for the
yard full of old machinery. As the had been a member of the Junior girls.
middle of seven children, Marshall Optimists in high school, and,
managed to blame either the older after their wedding, the National
ones or the younger ones for any Director of J.O. recommended
trouble he got into. Early on, he had Marshall to run a Boys’ Ranch
a newspaper route, first on a bicycle outside San Angelo.
and then on a burro. The mark he
would make on the world was not Wanda was an only child, but she
yet evident. suddenly found herself raising 20
boys and managing the office. After
After graduating from high school, a few years, they moved back to
Marshall attended Howard Payne Odessa, where Wanda went back to
University in Brownwood for two school and to work with her dad.
years on a football scholarship. He Marshall went back into the grocery
majored in Psychology and played business, but they soon realized
defensive tackle on the football they missed working with kids and
team. moved north to Whiteface.
During his second year at Howard There, Marshall and Wanda
Payne, he was injured so badly in managed Girlstown USA for 23
a game that the doctor told him to years. The girls ranged in age from
“quit playing that stupid game.” newborn to teenager. Some had
He moved home to go to work been in trouble; others were taken
and attend Odessa Junior College from abusive families. During their
at night. His first job was in a time with Girlstown, the home
grocery store where he manned a grew from 36 girls in one location to
cash register, and mastered skills four campuses with more than 140
in butchering, produce, and many girls. They also created a halfway
other grocery business skills. He house for girls who had graduated
later worked for a photographer from high school and were starting
who taught him that trade as well. jobs but still needed help with
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