The Legend of the Rope – Roy Cooper
Roy Cooper wasn’t just a roper — he was the roper. A man who defined what it meant to be a cowboy in the modern age: humble, relentless, and completely devoted to his craft. Born in 1955 in Hobbs, New Mexico, Roy grew up watching his father, Tuffy Cooper, swing ropes under the blazing Southwestern sun. That’s where his lifelong passion for rodeo began.
The Birth of the “Super Looper”
When Roy entered the professional rodeo scene, the world quickly took notice. His calm focus, precision, and speed were unmatched. Over his career, he captured eight world championships, including seven individual titles and the All-Around Cowboy title in 1983 — the highest honor in the rodeo world.
Fans and fellow riders started calling him “The Super Looper” — a man who could throw his loop faster and cleaner than anyone else. His record-breaking performances at the National Finals Rodeo remain legendary to this day.
But beyond his trophies, it was his humility and steady spirit that truly defined him. Roy never craved attention; he simply wanted to do what he loved — rope, ride, and teach.
A Family Built on Rodeo
Roy’s legacy extended beyond his personal career. He raised a family of champions. His sons — Clif, Clint, and Tuf Cooper — each followed in his footsteps. Tuf Cooper, a multiple-time world champion, often said: “Dad taught us that winning doesn’t start with your hands — it starts with your heart.”
Together, the Coopers became one of the most respected families in rodeo history, carrying the cowboy spirit from one generation to the next.
A Tragic Ending
On May 17, 2025, tragedy struck. Roy Cooper passed away in a house fire at his Texas home. The cause was believed to be an electrical malfunction. He was 69. The rodeo world fell silent.
Tributes poured in from every corner of the country. “We didn’t just lose a legend,” said Trevor Brazile. “We lost the man who showed us what being a cowboy really means.”
His Legacy Lives On
Even though Roy Cooper is gone, his presence lingers at every rodeo arena. From the young riders practicing their first loops to the champions bearing his last name, his influence endures.
Roy Cooper didn’t just win titles — he defined an era. He embodied integrity, grit, and the quiet pride of a cowboy who lived life on his own terms.
His loop may have fallen for the last time, but his spirit will forever ride across the arenas of the American West.