Stephen Dion Cooper

Steve was born on November 17, 1939 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Dorothy and Kelly Cooper and grew up in Lyman, Nebraska. He was active with the FFA, band, theater, and was an athlete - a proud basketball and football star. Upon graduating high school, he joined the Army at the age of 17 and was immediately appointed by the NSA on a covert operation monitoring Russian activity, near the Black Sea where he lived with Turkish soldiers. Upon completing his mission in 1959, Steve returned home during the Christmas holiday to marry his childhood sweetheart Margaret Elaine Lehr on December 27th.

Steve and Elaine later settled in Denver, Colorado and had their three daughters Stephanie, Brenda, and Amy. Steve started his career as a Journeyman with Ironworkers Local Union 24 and worked for the Prestressed Concrete of Colorado building bridges and skyscrapers in Denver and throughout the state of Colorado. During this time, Steve taught welding at the Emily Griffith Institute and was appointed to the American General Contractors organization, the Prestressed Concrete Institute and several other construction organizations.

In the late 1970’s, Steve was appointed by President Carter to work on a special project in Washington, D.C, and thus the family moved to the area during Christmas break in 1979. After completing his assignment under the President’s Administration, Steve remained in D.C. and joined the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers Union executive team where he scaled to the top as the expert on safety and health in the United States and Canada. Throughout his career, Steve was internationally recognized and served on a long list of committees, boards, and commissions.

Steve and Elaine returned to Colorado to enjoy their retirement years with their two daughters, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Steve spent his time playing poker, golfing, and being involved in their neighborhood Metro and HOA boards. Serving as the family historian those around him enjoyed hearing his stories about his time as an Ironworker, his compelling career, and his many travels around the world.

Steve is survived by his daughters Stephanie Lane (Brad) and Amy Holland. His memory will live on through his grandchildren Tiffany Hancock (Philip), Nick Jiron (Andrea Harmon), Trevor Holland, Derrick Jiron, and Tori Harris (Dalton); and his great-grandchildren, Alex, Sophia, Braylea, Beaux, Tristan, and Cruz. Steve is also survived by his siblings David Cooper, Sue Miller, Shirley Ford, and Mikel Johnson. Steve was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy Beddoes and James Kelly Cooper, his brother James Kelly “Sonny” Cooper III , his daughter Brenda Kay Cooper, and wife Margaret Elaine Cooper.

Steve will be remembered for all the heart and wisdom he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each and every one of them - and if you knew him, you knew it. When his time came, he carried himself with dignity, strength, and full of love for those who went before him. His captivating presence and sheer joy for life will be dearly missed, yet we find comfort knowing he will finally be reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Elaine, and their infant daughter, Brenda.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to the Emily Griffith Foundation, 1860 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203. Memories of Stephen and words of condolence for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.