Posted on Nov 25, 2009 | by Staff

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. (BP)--Retired Ouachita Baptist University philosophy professor Raymond A. Coppenger died Nov. 24 following a bout with pneumonia at age 100.

Coppenger celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 20 with a large gathering of family and friends in Arkadelphia, Ark. He received televised birthday greetings from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Ouachita alumnus, who closed his Fox News Channel show, "Huckabee," on Sept. 20 by noting, "Dr. Coppenger is one of the most brilliant scholars I've known, and his Edinburgh-trained intellect was matched by his humble and gracious spirit. As he and his family celebrate his 100 years, I thank him for his investment in my life."

He is the father of Mark Coppenger, professor of Christian apologetics at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and pastor of Evanston Baptist Church in Evanston, Ill.

Baptist Press carried a Sept. 30 story on Raymond Coppenger noting the book publication of his doctoral thesis from more than 50 years earlier on the life of English Baptist leader Abraham Booth (1734-1806).

Coppenger was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Agnes, and a daughter, Anne. In addition to Mark Coppenger, he is survived by a daughter Susan, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at noon on Saturday, Nov. 28, at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, followed by a 2 p.m. funeral service, with burial at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. The family requests that memorial gifts be made through First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.

For Ouachita Baptist University's news release on Raymond Coppenger's death, go to http://media.obu.edu/?p=985.
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Adapted from reporting by Trennis Henderson, vice president for communications at Ouachita Baptist University.