George Strait Fights Back Tears During Speech At Friend & Rodeo Star Roy Cooper’s Funeral
Rodeo Legend Roy Cooper Died In A House Fire On April 29, 2025
George Strait treasured his friendship with rodeo icon Roy Cooper. Sadly, Strait now finds himself coping with the loss of the man he considered to be one of his closest friends.
Roy Cooper, also known as “The Super Looper,” won seven individual rodeo event world championships. Six of those came in tie-down roping, the other in steer roping. He also won one all-around crown. Cooper was one of only ten cowboys who earned the prestigious “Triple Crown,” meaning he won three world titles in a year.
Cooper’s accomplishments helped him secure a spot in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. He was inducted as part of the inaugural class in 1979.
Cooper’s extraordinary life came to a tragic end when he died in a fire at his property in Decatur, Texas, on April 29, 2025. He was 69 years old. His son, Tuf Cooper, confirmed the devastating news.
“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.”
George Strait Shared His Heartbroken Response To Roy’s Death
“The Super Looper” and “The King of Country” were longtime friends. After Cooper passed away, Strait shared his heartbreak in a statement he published on social media.
“We lost our good friend and my hero Roy Cooper yesterday. He’s with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now. God be with the Cooper family and friends. We’ll miss you amigo. I’ll come find you one day.”
Cooper once recalled how he and Strait met. Strait’s manager connected with him at an event in Oklahoma City, and brought Cooper to meet Strait on his bus.
“Me and him sat there and talked for two hours before he had to play. We just connected,” Cooper remembered. “He’s one of the best friends I could’ve ever had.”
After winning the PRCA All-Around World Title in 1983, Cooper received a belt buckle that he proudly wore from that moment forward. He said he’d never take it off, that is, unless Strait wanted to wear it.
“It’s the only one I wear. Since I won it, I’ve never taken it off. Actually, I would give it to George Strait if he would wear it. I would because he’s one of my very best friends.”
George Strait Remembers Roy Cooper During Emotional Speech At His Funeral
Cooper’s loved ones gathered to remember him during a funeral service held on Monday (May 26) at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth. Strait delivered a speech in Cooper’s honor.
“He was my hero,” Strait said, his voice full of emotion. “We shared a lot of good and bad times together. He didn’t hang out with me, I hung out with him.”
Speaking about how Cooper was truly one-of-a-kind, Strait said:
“Roy was one of the ones they made that saying about, that they broke the mold when they made him. They sure did.“
Strait’s speech wasn’t entirely somber. He took the time to share a few funny stories and some of his favorite memories with Cooper.
Strait recalled hanging out at a Kentucky Derby party with Cooper one year, and Stevie Nicks was also in attendance. Cooper met Nicks for the first time that night, and Strait recalled what happened next:
“I look around and Roy’s trying to left-foot [rope] Stevie Nicks. I swear. Years later I ran into her somewhere and she said, ‘Hey, where’s that crazy cowboy that tried to rope me at the Derby?’ He always made a big impression, ol’ Roy.”
Still, Strait fought back tears several times during his speech. After calling Cooper “a good man,” he stepped back and took a moment to compose himself before speaking again.
He ended his speech by saying:
“Boy, did he love his family, and he loved the Lord. If the good Lord chooses me to go to Paradise sometime, where I know Roy is, I’m just gonna say, throw a Council [a brand of saddle] on one for me brother, and let’s race.”
Watch the video below to hear George Strait’s touching speech at Roy Cooper’s funeral. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who loved “The Super Looper” as they mourn their loss…
