DECATUR, Texas — ProRodeo Hall of Famer Roy Cooper died in a fire at his home in North Texas on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). He was 69.
The Wise County Messenger reported the fire happened at approximately 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Cooper’s home on County Road 3051 near Decatur.
His son, Tuf Cooper, memorialized his father in a post on Facebook.
“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,” Tuf wrote.
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.
Posted by Tuf Cooper – Official Fan Page on Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Tuf Cooper and Roy Cooper’s other two sons – Clint and Clif – are all National Finals Rodeo qualifiers in tie-down roping, according to PRCA.
The Texas High School Rodeo Association also memorialized the rodeo legend in a statement to WFAA’s content partners at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“Roy wasn’t just a legend in the arena — he was a legend in life,” the rodeo association said. “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.”
Roy Cooper’s rodeo career spanned more than three decades.
Roy Cooper, nicknamed “Super Looper,” was Rookie of the Year in 1976 won seven individual event world championships – six in tie-down roping, one in steer roping and one all-around title, according to the PRCA.
Roy Cooper was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1979 and won the PRCA All-Around World Title in 1983, according to PRCA. His accolades made him one of 10 cowboys to win three world titles in the same year. The other nine are Clay Carr, Leonard Ward, Everett Bowman, Louis Brooks, Bill Linderman, Casey Tibbs, Harry Tompkins, Jim Shoulders and Trevor Brazile, PRCA reports.
After his professional rodeo career, Roy Cooper hosted a junior world roping championship for the last 40-plus years, according to PRCA.
