Obituary of Ron Cooper

It is with great sadness, the family of Ronald Cooper announce his passing on Sunday, January 3, 2021. Ron was characterised by his love of family, impressive work ethic, quick wit and devotion to the Green Bay Packers. He believed that if you worry too much about life’s stresses, you miss the memories being made around you. Ron would regularly say to family, “We just made a memory.” Ron was born and raised in Twin Falls, Idaho where he met his life partner, Roann (nee Wegener). His mischievous sense of humor and charm won her over and they married in 1966, starting a family two years later before moving to Boise for 15 years. The family returned to Twin Falls in the mid-80s when Ron joined his brother Bill and nephew Gary’s company, Cooper Construction. Ron was in the Idaho National Guard for 13 years and served as a tank commander. He was a talented carpenter who prided himself on his ability to work as hard as anyone on the job. A man who truly loved his vocation, he supervised the construction of buildings and dairies all over the Treasure and Magic Valleys. After several attempts at retirement, a leukemia diagnosis in 2018 finally forced his hand, ceasing plans to return for one more job. He fought valiantly undergoing 12 months of chemotherapy, but Ron was up against a relentless foe. In August, the decision was made to enter hospice care. Ron was a man that appreciated life and lived every day to its fullest. He relished summer evenings, laying in the cool grass, shooting the breeze and eating an ice cream. He was excited to visit his son’s family in Australia on numerous occasions and stroll along the stunning beaches of Stradbroke Island. Ron never met a stranger. A walk through the Twin Falls County Fair would take hours as he stopped and talked to acquaintances from throughout his life. In his later years, he joined the Twin Falls Reform Church with his wife, and a new circle of friends began, creating a valuable support base for Roann in the future. As a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan, Ron cherished his visit in 2010 to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin with his son, Geoff and only grandson, Dominic. The trip was highlighted by on-field passes to watch the Packers pre-game warm up, standing yards away from Donald Driver and Aaron Rodgers. The trip was particularly special when two months later the Packers won Super Bowl XLV. Ron is survived by wife, Roann, son Geoff (Amanda), daughter Ginger, and nine grandchildren: Dominic, Monica and Nicola, and Adelaide, Adrian, Elyse, Olivia, Gillian and Gia. The family would like to thank Hospice Visions, and particularly Ron’s wonderful nurse, Ginger, for their amazing support, and fellow Packer fan Pastor Chuck Swoboda of TFRC for his guidance through this time. At Ron’s request, no service will be held.