Gerald "Coop" Cooper

Jerry “Coop” Cooper’s Celebration of Life will be June 15th (Jerry’s Birthday), 12 pm, Smith Pioneer Park, Aberdeen Road in Lower Nicola. Please bring your lawn chairs, a potluck dish, comfortable clothing and a good story or two to tell amongst the many people who knew and loved Jerry. He was always the storyteller, but also enjoyed other’s stories too! Tea and coffee will be available.

Our family has been so grateful for all the support we have received since the passing of Jerry – our husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.

For those of you who wish to donate – please support the Merritt Little Britches Rodeo Association by making E-transfer donations to Leah Hassel-Mobbs at [email protected] in Jerry’s memory – for all those little ones wanting to continue in rodeo and the life he loved and lived.

For further information contact Marcia at [email protected]

Jerry passed the way he lived, on his terms; with his wife of 32 years, Marcia, by his side. He is survived by his children — Cheryl, Phillip, Gerald, & Haley (Denver); Jonathan (Keri) & Dana (James); Brother – Clayton (Novella); & sisters – Ellen (Glen) Smailes, Arline Willsie & Jan (Robert) Ristau; his grandchildren, nieces/nephews & his many friends & family. Jerry is predeceased by his parents Phillip & Gerty Cooper; sisters - Lois, Peggy & Terry; sons - Gary Cooper & Cory Hanuse; & grandson Jesse Cooper.

Jerry was born on June 15, 1946, in Kamloops, where he lived for the first 19 years of his life in Westside, before moving to Nicola Ranch in 1965. During his almost 60 years in the Nicola Valley, he rode and worked at almost every ranch in the area.

He was someone that cowboys & ranchers alike looked up to, due to his vast knowledge with cattle, ranching and horses. He loved the business and was most happy riding, either at work or a rodeo. Jerry was a talented team and calf roper winning several buckles that he proudly talked about and displayed.

Along with being an excellent cow man, he was always ready to tell a good story, ones that his family have heard many times before, and will surely miss. Even in his final days, when friends came to visit, and say their goodbyes, he was up for a good story and laugh. There are very few people in the ranching world who didn’t call Coop their friend.

Thank you for all your love and support the Cooper/Cooke family.