Coy ‘K.C.’ Gene Cooper

Coy ‘K.C.’ Gene Cooper age 60 of Howardwick passed away on June 7, 2024, after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was at home surrounded by his family and friends.

Family Directed Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.  Viewing will be held Wednesday at the funeral home with family receiving friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Cremation & Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Coy was born in Sayre, Okla., on May 5, 1964 to Patricia Ann Cook. As a young child, Coy loved that small town life and what it provided him and his imagination. Such as “running away” to catch the train as it rolled through town, along with the local sheriff knowing his momma’s first name as he called out to him “Coy, get down from that water tower before I have to call your momma, boy!”, and so much more that the family can recall. Soon he found himself living in the big city with his momma and younger sibling, and then he lost his mom to a life ending medical condition. Coy became an independent young man at the age of 14 taking care of himself. Even with this large life hurdle he graduated high school from Garden City High in May of 1982.

He attended college at Garden City Community College where he earned his Associate’s to be a Veterinary Medicine Assistant in 1984. During his time at Garden City Community College his was on the baseball team, as well as the rodeo team. Rodeo became his first love. Coy joined the PRCA and unofficially claimed the Bull Rider Rookie of the Year title his first-year in. He continued this career for 18 years until 1992. During this time, he was proud to know that he had rodeo-ed with some of the best in the world which included Cody Custer, Andy Taylor, Lane Frost, Leggs Stephenson, Charlie Sampson, Bobby DelVecchio, and many other greats.

When he left the rodeo industry behind it was for his newfound love of his life, Kimberly (Stehr) Cooper. Coy and Kim married on January 31, 1994, in Abilene, Texas. Coy and Kim shared four amazing children Dustin, Cortney, Dakota Spur, and Shyanne and nine grandchildren, who were his world. Coy was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, which was the highlight of his life. He loved the cowboy life and loved sharing stories and knowledge with all of those around him. Coy was a man of many talents, most of them coming from his stubborn ways and never taking the statement of “you don’t know how to do that” without always finding a way. He always had a cowboy’s attitude, “if you’re gonna be dumb you gotta be tough” and if you don’t know how to do it then figure it out. Coy was always a man of many words and if you couldn’t hear what he was saying you could always see it on his face.

Coy and Kim made Howardwick their home in 2018. This community is one that he had grown to love and care for. In the last 18 months of his life, he had grown very close with his son-in-law, Chris. They shared numerous stories, a wealth of knowledge, and a true friendship from this journey. Coy’s most quoted words he would leave us all with today would be “If you’re not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space.”

Coy is preceded in death by son Dakota Spur, mother Patrica Cook, Uncles Jim Cook and Gene Cook, and grandparents.

Coy is survived by wife Kimberly Cooper; son Dusitn and wife Elizabeth of Willow, Okla.; daughter Cortney and husband Chris of Clarendon; daughter Shyanne and husband Matt of Clarendon; grandchildren Cadence, Lily, Dakotah, Brance, Adalyn, Dalis, Crosby, Greeley, and soon to be born Baby Steele in August; adopted parents Steve and Heidi Phelps; and a host of cousins and extended family.

In lieu of flowers the family is accepting contributions to Coy’s funeral arrangements which can be made at Donley County State Bank, venmo @Cortney-Reuter-1, or cash app $WindyMoney05.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com