Terry D Cooper

Terry D. Cooper, “Coop” as he was known by friends, passed away October 7, 2021 after a hard fought battle with fungal pneumonia. Terry was born June 5, 1971 in Colorado Springs, CO and was the baby of four children.

Terry was a graduate of Thomas B. Doherty High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1989 and Wyoming Technical Institute, Laramie, Wyoming in 1990 with an Associate’s degree of Automotive Technology ASE certifications. He always had multiple jobs, even as a kid, where he worked at an assisted living facility, Marie Calendar’s, a salvage yard, Sear’s Automotive (New Haven, CT), his own auto restoration shop, Carefree Go-Cart Track (where he was electrocuted with trunk line voltage), Commercial Design and Colorado Springs Jeep Eagle. Terry would later change career fields where he worked for IKON, Lewan and most currently Toshiba Business Solutions.

Terry was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the early 1980’s and would battle with the diabetes for most of his adult life. After a year on dialysis three times a week he was given the miracle of a kidney and pancreas transplant in December of 2005. Despite the diabetes and health issues Terry lived a full life, “Go big or go home” he would say. His love of music and cars would allow him to travel to many places and meet many people. Terry’s love of cars, motorcycles and anything with a motor started early in his life. He raced BMX, Motorcross, AMA, drag cars, dwarf cars and mini sprints. Terry loved building, restoration and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He would work closely with his cousin and mentor Tim Eckert on his 2002 electric car and 2003 electric car driven by Jeri Unser both of whom set records on Pikes Peak. They changed the world of cars and batteries with their pioneered Large Cell Lithium Ion Batteries.

Terry worked on several race crews for the hill climb to include Tony Brakohiapa who is a well-known Hollywood stunt driver (2018) and as Crew Chief for Dan Novembre (2019, 2020, 2021). Terry was also a member of The Over the Hill Gang, Pike Peak Hill Climb Historical Association.

Amongst so many accomplishments his greatest legacy is the family he created. When he was 26 his daughter Savanna (bullfrog, kidbert and light of his life) was born from his first marriage. Some years later in 2011 he would meet Jenn his best friend and soul mate. Together they would raise four amazing kids and choose every day to live their lives together.

Terry is survived by his parents Dave and Carol Cooper. Love of his life Jenn, his children, Savanna (Dylan), Anthony, Scott and Briauna. His immediate family, sister Becky (Glenn), sister Cacindra (Allen), niece Rachelle, nephew Ethan (Sami) and his great-niece and nephews Vivian, Cameron and Daxton. Preceded in death by infant brother Hershel, paternal grandparents Hershel and Esther Cooper, maternal grandparents George and Alice Williams, his beloved Aunt Jeri Williams and nephew Ethan.

Those who knew Terry know this is such a small portion of his life and accomplishments. He never took a picture without making a silly face, he was so intelligent, incredibly generous, a prankster, loving father, devoted spouse, a foodie, comedian, an adventurer, a hard worker, a leader, stubborn, hard headed asshole (said with the most affection), a lover of all things music, he had a colorful vocabulary and he absolutely had to be the center of attention.

Missing you isn’t the problem…. It’s knowing you’re never coming back that’s killing me.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled on Sunday June 5, 2022 from 1:00-5:00pm, at the Palmer Lake Town Hall located at 42 Valley Crescent, Palmer Lake, CO. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Terry’s name to San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society: SLVAWS 76 El Rio Drive, Alamosa CO 81101 or by phone to Aileen 719-588-5560 or to Donate Life Colorado. Both organizations were very special to Terry.