Donald Cooper

Donald “Donnie” Burch Cooper passed away peacefully in Pueblo, Colorado early in the morning of February 5, 2022. He was born in Pueblo, on November 1, 1928, the second of five children of Drummond Burch Cooper and Letha Colleen (Yarberry). He was preceded in death within his immediate family, by his parents, his younger brother, Gary Cooper, of Arizona, and his older sister, Mabel Sparks, of California. He is survived by two younger sisters: Kathy Sanders, of Wyoming, and Elaine Klatt, of Connecticut / Florida and by extended nephews, nieces, cousins, far too numerous to mention here by name.

Donnie grew up on the family farm located near Avondale, Colorado, where he became passionate about farming and ranching at an early age. During his lifetime, he witnessed many changes in farming and ranching practices. He often told stories about hand milking the family cow and gathering eggs from the hen house during the difficult years following the Great Depression. He recanted spills and wrecks that he had as a young boy, while still farming with a team of Belgian draft horses. He also recalled the arrival of whistle blowing steam tractors and stationary threshing machines that came rolling in with custom crews during grain harvests and helping gather neighbors’ cattle on horse-back after a bad blizzard in the early forties. He participated in the mechanization era of Agriculture.

He had not yet graduated from Avondale High School when he assumed the role of “teen-age bread winner” for his family, when his father was essentially bed-ridden for several years with severe Rheumatoid arthritis. Don took great his pride in his Colorado Centennial Family Farm, and with hard work and sheer determination, he kept it productive for over six decades, through many good and few bad years when crops were lost to hailstorms.

Don married Billie Ilene Trautwein, who he met at a dance in her hometown of Fowler, Colorado. They raised their own family on the Cooper’s Farm. After 69 years of marriage, the love of Donnie’s life passed away on June 30, 2021. They were both preceded in death by their daughter Janet Elaine Cooper, who died at the tender age of seven, leaving a huge whole in their hearts that was never fully filled.

One crop the family specialized in for all four generations was growing Certified seed of cucumbers, cantaloupes, and watermelons. During the sixties and seventies, in addition to a cow / calf Angus cattle operation and a standard crop rotation of corn, beans, and hay; they also operated a produce stand from their front yard. Billie was the head marketer and Don, and the boys were the brute force that supplied a wide variety of fresh vegetables to a customer base that extended well beyond Pueblo County. He was well known for his sweet corn, tomatoes, and chili peppers.

Don and Billie remained active in farming until 2006. He never officially “retired”, and he still took great pride in overseeing farm operations and in “farming” his yard, always being careful to not waste a drop of water and precision mowing his lawn with his John Deere riding mower right up until this past summer.

Donald is survived by his three sons and their respective families.

The eldest son, Blake and his wife Richelle of Fort Collins, Colorado. A granddaughter, Emily Cooper, and her husband Scott Komula, and by his grandson Drew Cooper and his wife Samantha and three great grandchildren; Bella Marie, Davis Benjamin and Cash William Cooper all currently residing in Colorado.

Don is survived by his middle son, Timothy (Tim) and his wife Rexalena, who reside in both Ventura, California and Bemidji, Minnesota. A granddaughter, Jessica and her husband Phil Lau and great-granddaughter Sienna; and by his grandson, Taylor Cooper, all residing in California.

Don is survived by his youngest son, Bret and his wife Veronica of Bemidji, Minnesota.

Don is also survived by the neighboring Ryan and Yvonne Froman family, Bryce, Regan and Ryleigh who are now a part of the Cooper family and who became very dear to the hearts of both Grandpa Don and Grandma Billie.

The family wishes to sincerely thank all the Avondale community neighbors, especially John Peck, who helped Tim to provide daily care for Don at his home after Billie passed.

Don was a lifelong member of the Avondale United Methodist Church. At his request there will be no visitation. Interment will be a simple graveside ceremony at 3 PM on Saturday February 19, 2022, at Imperial Memorial Gardens, 5054 Hwy 78 West Pueblo, CO.

The expectation is the family will hold a community celebration of life event in Avondale for both Don and Billie sometime later this year.