The rodeo community is grieving the devastating loss of roping legend Roy Cooper.
Roy Cooper, who was affectionately known as The Super Looper, died Tuesday night when his Decatur, Texas, home was destroyed by fire. Dispatch received a call about a house fire around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Firefighters arrived to find the one-story home fully engulfed in flames. Details about Cooper’s cause of death have not been released.
Roy’s son, Tuf Cooper, confirmed his father’s death in a Facebook post Wednesday morning, saying:
“It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of our Dad, The Super Looper, Roy Cooper. We’re all in shock and at a loss for words from this tragedy at the moment.”
About Roy Cooper
Roy Cooper was one of the most successful cowboys in rodeo history. Named Rookie of the Year in 1976, Cooper went on to win “seven individual event world championships – six in tie-down roping, one in steer roping and one all-around crown – while dominating the competition, particularly throughout the 1980s,” according to the PRCA.
Just three years later, he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as one of its inaugural members. He was also one of only 10 cowboys to achieve a rare Triple Crown honor by winning three world titles in one year.
Roy Cooper was one of only 10 cowboys to earn a coveted Triple Crown title by winning three world championships in one year. (Photo credit: PRCA)
In 1983, Cooper won the PRCA All-Around World Title and proudly wore his trophy belt buckle ever since. In a 2023 interview with ProRodeo Sports News, he said that the buckle is the only one he wears and he’s never taken it off.
He added that he would only take it off for one person … George Strait.
“It’s the only one I wear. Since I won it, I’ve never taken it off,” Cooper said. “Actually, I would give it to George Strait if he would wear it. I would because he’s one of my very best friends.”
Cooper once shared how he and the King of Country met and kicked off a legendary friendship. He told ProRodeo.com that he was approached by Strait’s manager after finishing an event in Oklahoma City. The manager escorted Cooper to George’s bus, pushing their way through a crowd surrounding it.
When Cooper walked in, he found George sitting by himself.
“Me and him sat there and talked for two hours before he had to play. We just connected,” Cooper said. “He’s one of the best friends I could’ve ever had.”
George Strait Reacts To Roy Cooper’s Death
In a brief statement shared to social media, George Strait mourned the loss of his dear friend.
“We lost our good friend and my hero Roy Cooper yesterday. He’s with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now. God be with the Cooper family and friends. We’ll miss you amigo. I’ll come find you one day,” Strait wrote.
Roy Cooper is survived by his three sons, Clint, Clif, and Tuf, his daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.
