Stories Tears and Respect Fill Cowtown Coliseum as Roy Cooper is Remembered by his Own

On April 29 2025 the western community lost an icon known as “Super Looper”. Roy Cooper lost his life in a house fire in his home in Decatur, Texas at the age of 69. 

On May 26 in Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth thousands gathered for his last matinee performance.

The King of Country, George Strait, was a close friend of Roy’s for more than 40 years. When he spoke during the memorial there was not a dry eye in the house. With tears in his own eyes he said, “He was a good man. He loved his family and he loved the Lord. God bless Roy and God bless the Cooper family.”

As his first year to ever compete professionally he set the highest ever earning rookie record. He then went on to win three consecutive PRORODEO world titles. He continued his winning ways long into his career even with the injuries that he had.

Eventually he would be inducted into numerous halls of fame. Some of the more notable ones included ProRodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Texas Cowboy, Texas Rodeo, and Oklahoma Sports.

The Cooper family asked for donations instead of flowers for the service. They intend to keep his memory alive by helping the younger generation of ropers who are chasing the same dream that a young Roy once had.

Thousands took to social media to praise the man that the community had lost and the impact he made on everybody he met. Kathryn Elaine Snedeker took to Facebook with this heartfelt message: 

“Roy wasn’t just a legend in the arena-he was a legend in life. He inspired so many with his strength, grit, and heart. Whether you knew him personally or admired him from afar, you knew he was someone special. His love for rodeo, family, and friends ran deep and he carried that love with quiet pride and unmatched character.” What a tribute.

The amount of people Roy inspired is infinite. His legend will live on as many remember him for his determination and love for the sport. The community lost a legend but he will live on as long as the sport of rodeo does. The sport is who he was and what he loved.  

Photo Courtesy of the Cooper Family