LAST WISH
Rodeo legend Roy Cooper made tragic final vow in emotional video just weeks before his sudden death at 69
He opened up about his faith and shared a piece of advice with fans
RODEO star Roy Cooper made a tragic vow and revealed a lasting wish just weeks before his sudden death.
The legend who earned the nickname "Super Looper" for his incredible calf roping skills suddenly died aged 69 after he was reportedly caught in a house fire.
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The news on Wednesday morning plunged the rodeo world into mourning when news of his death was confirmed by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Cooper's family.
The star's son Tuf Cooper said, "It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of our dad, the Super Looper, Roy Cooper.
"We're all in shock and at a loss for words from this tragedy at the moment."
Though his cause of death hasn't been confirmed, local reports indicated that his house in Decatur, Texas, caught fire on Tuesday night.
According to The Messenger, the large fire fully engulfed Cooper's one-story home.
Just weeks ago in February, he featured on a podcast where he made a now-heartbreaking final vow and opened up about his love for his growing family.
Cooper sat down with podcasters Cole and Ty Harris for their show Let's Freakin' Rodeo in what would be one of his final interviews.
In the episode, he looked back on his career and shared pieces of advice on how he managed to stay strong in the face of adversity.
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At one point in the chat, Cooper spoke about the importance of letting go and realizing that "God's in control".
"You get my age man, all you got is memories, old memories," he told the hosts.
"I don't want to look back when I'm 65 years old and say I wished I had done that [...] I really have no regrets.
"So never pass up a chance to make a memory."
HEALTH BATTLE
In what would be his final months, Cooper endured health struggles but never gave up on the rodeo as he kept up to speed by watching shows in person or at home on TV.
He admitted that going to live events had become difficult because he started "losing his balance" and "couldn't walk."
Just months before his death, Cooper said he got five or six MRIs and even traveled to Mexico to see if there was a fix for his health struggles.
After going to several appointments, a doctor learned that the rodeo star had a clogged artery in his neck that was "85% blocked" and told Cooper he could have had a heart attack at any moment.
The rodeo legend got treatment and said that he would need intense therapy until he started to see some progress with his mobility.
But his motivation for getting better was spending time with his blossoming family and being around long enough to watch them grow up.
"You wanna see your grandkids," Cooper tragically said weeks before his death.
WORLD CHAMPION
Cooper had a historic rodeo career that spanned two decades, winning eight world championships and claiming an all-around title in 1983.
His nickname Super Looper came in 1976, when he won Rookie of the Year for his roping skills.
The star athlete overcame struggles at a young age, as he was born with severe asthma that was triggered by horses.
But despite the difficulties, Cooper continued to sharpen his skills and shook off the disease by the time he was a teenager.
Rodeo officials have mourned Cooper's loss and described him as a pillar of the community.
A local Texas rodeo organization called him a "legend in life," and fans online deemed him the Michael Jordan of calf roping.
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"He inspired so many with his strength, grit, and heart," wrote one fan online.
"Whether you knew him personally or admired him from afar, you knew he was someone special."
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