We say goodbye to an old friend, Dale "Tuffy" Cooper, who passed away last November. Tuffy, as he was known to his family, friends and fans, was the patriarch of one of the greatest roping families in the sport and the inspiration and "founding father" of the Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Tuffy was born on November 11, 1925. He and his brother Jimmie Cooper started their competitive rodeo careers at an early age. He attended the University of New Mexico and helped to found the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. He competed in the first College National Finals Rodeo in 1949 and won the title a year later. He served for three years in the Air Force during World War II, and joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association (the predecessor of the PRCA) after his enlistment ended. Tuffy competed in many rodeo events; excelling in the calf roping, steer roping, and team roping events. Later, he became a rodeo announcer and judge and served as the spokesman for the PRCA for 12 years.
Tuffy Cooper has been inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame in Fort Worth and, of course, the Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Tuffy and his wife Betty Rose had three children, Betty Gayle (deceased), Roy Dale, and Clay Tom. All three children were competitive rodeo champions. Grandsons Clint, Clif and Tuf carry on the Cooper legacy - they are the first trio of brothers to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - the cowboy "Super Bowl" - in tie-down roping.
Tuffy Cooper died on November 24, 2013 at his home in Monument, New Mexico at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife, his two sons Roy and Clay Tom, his brother Jimmie, his five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. The Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame wishes to thank those who donated memorials in remembrance of Tuffy.