Tuffy Cooper

Calf, Steer, & Team Roper, Announcer & Judge
1925-2015

Delbert Dale Cooper, "Tuffy" to those who know him, was born on November 11, 1925, in Lea County, New Mexico to Alaska J. and Tommie Lou Bingham Cooper.  His rodeo career began at age 10.  

          Tuffy competed in many rodeo events; excelling in calf roping, steer roping, and team roping events.  He placed well at many of the West of the Pecos Rodeos over the years and considered that venue to be one of his favorites.  He was also a well-respected rodeo announcer and judge.  A documentary about Tuffy and his family aired on PBS in 2005.

          Tuffy was inducted into the New Mexico School Board Hall of Fame and was a founding father of and is inducted into the Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame.  Attending school in New Mexico, Tuffy was the first National Intercollegiate Calf Roping Champion.  To add to his illustrious career accomplishments, he served as PRCA Spokesman for 12 years and was an "instructor of roping" in the United States and Australia.  Cooper wrote for the ProRodeo Sports News and published “If You Ride a Slow Horse, You Need a Long Rope”, a booklet of cowboy sayings in 1994.

          Tuffy and his wife, Betty Rose have three children—Betty Gayle Ratliff, Roy Dale, and Clay Tom; three grandsons—Clif, Clint, and Tuf and six great-grandchildren—Cason, Ceattle Rose, Zelia, Camden, Kipralee Gayle, and Casly Faith.  Delbert Dale “Tuffy” Cooper died on November 17, 2013, at the age of 88.