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Ted L. Cooper

1933 - 2018

Ted L. Cooper obituary, 1933-2018, Durango, CO

BORN

1933

DIED

2018

Ted Cooper Obituary

A longtime resident of Durango, Theodore "Ted" Lasswell Cooper, 85, passed away in Farmington, NM on August 29, 2018.

Ted was born on February 25, 1933 in Pittsburgh, PA and spent his childhood in Cleveland, Youngstown, and Houston. He ran track in high school and earned a scholarship to the University of Houston. There, he met Wilma Walls, and they wed on August 15, 1954.

Ted earned his Masters of Education, concentrating in Art. He was inducted into the US Army in 1956 at Fort Bliss. He served in El Paso, TX working as a recreation specialist.

Ted led a long and varied professional life. In El Paso, TX, he started out teaching art but also acted as director of a Boy Scout camp with Wilma. In June of 1964, they moved their family to Durango where Ted continued teaching at Smiley Junior High and at both the new and old senior high schools. Ted and Wilma bought Hermosa Ranch on which they raised hay through the summers for more than 10 years, until he retired from teaching. In 1980, they invested in a mobile home park and also started up a rafting company in partnership with Wilma's brother, Wayne Walls. Ted and Wilma continued managing the park and other properties for the next 35 years. Throughout his life, Ted exemplified the value of hard work and perseverance.

Ted was entirely devoted to his family and derived his greatest joy from interacting and engaging with his children and grandchildren.

Ted is survived by his wife, Wilma Cooper, and his 4 children: Tamara Henry Corn, Dwight Cooper, Cassandra Cooper, and Cameron Cooper; 7 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.

We will be celebrating his life on Saturday, September 22nd at Durango First Presbyterian Church, 1159 East 3rd Avenue, at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ted's honor to: Durango High School - Visual Arts Program, 2390 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.

Published by The Durango Herald on Sep. 6, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
for Ted Cooper

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Mr. Cooper was my first art teacher in 1970-1972 and he made a impression on me to become a graphic artist.
-StJames aka "Darlene James"

Rev StJames

September 19, 2018

I also had the privilege of having Mr. Cooper as an art teacher at DHS. I remember him as a talented, dedicated, hard working, patient man with a great sense of humor and I have fond memories of time spent in his class. Heartfelt condolences to his family.

Lonne Bailey

September 17, 2018

I went to Durango High School 1968 to 1972, and I think I took Art class with Mr C all 4 years. Mr C knew how serious I was about art and after Art 1 and all the fundamentals..,he set me free. He did insist I work in every media we could come up with. Now, as the art students I knew and cared so much about are still in touch. The Class of '72 produced 5 or 6 Art teachers ! One of them pointed out that Mr Cooper wore a white shirt, a black tie every single school day. He had a green apron he wore when the media was messy. I f I ever got Mr C's attention he'd tell me to bring my lunch the next day and we were going to have a talk. So, Mr C and I used to 'do lunch' pretty often. Mr C cared about us in that creative U.S. Army way. So, eventually I decided to be an Art teacher. I used quite a lot of the ways I learned from him. Thank you Mr C. I hope you know how many high school art students you had who have carried away the look of the world and expressed our own passion for art. I just retired from teaching. I loved teaching art. Thanks Mr C for all you taught and insisted you' taught the fundamentals, but he wasn't going to tell us what to think and what to see. Thanks Mr C. you did very very well. Doug Senteney

Doug Senteney

September 14, 2018

It was an honor and a privliage to have known Ted and his family. I will always remember having bteakfest at Carvers and discussing politics. Ted had such a kind heart. My most heart felt condolences to Cameron, Amy, Wilma, Dewight and the rest of the Cooper Family
God Bless

Will Sweetwood

Friend

September 11, 2018

Hardest working man I have ever met. He was a kind man and I'm sorry for the loss his family is feeling.. My prayers are with you all.

Amy Kellogg

September 11, 2018

As you remember your loved one, as God heals your broken hearts (Psalm 147:3), may your treasured memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength to endure.

September 10, 2018

Mr. Cooper was one of my favorite teachers. He allowed us to express ourselves through many various art styles and mediums in his art classes. I believe he helped each of us to think more creatively and openly as we entered our adulthood. Thanks Mr. Cooper.

Mark Chapin

September 10, 2018

With My Deepest and Sincere Sympathy to the Cooper Family, Friends and Fellow Classmates, remembering with You the life of someone very special, is the most precious gift to the Heart. I am sending Old Fashioned Heartfelt Healing Prayers to find the comfort and support of those who Love You, along with the Memories You hold so deeply locked within Your Heart, to give You and the ones You hold Dear to Your Heart, strength at this difficult time, in this sad farewell, on this day when Ted was called Home. But most of all, may You find, that Love lives on in the Memories of the Heart. His Memories will always remain in Your Heart from the Love he left behind as a Legacy for all to follow. I had the Honor and Pleasure being called An Abiding Charlie Russell by Ted which he kept a few of my art works. He will be Deeply Missed.

Sterling Morris

September 9, 2018

Mr. Cooper was my art teacher for several years. He allowed me freedom of expression and his room was a sanctuary where we could share ideas and laugh! He inspired me to teach art. Condolences to his family.

Sharon Englehart

September 7, 2018

Cameron Cooper

September 6, 2018

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results

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Memorial Events
for Ted Cooper

Sep

22

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

Durango First Presbyterian Church

1159 East 3rd Avenue, NM

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