Wilma Cooper Obituary

A longtime resident of Durango, Wilma Joyce Cooper, passed away from natural causes on July 13, 2021 at the age of 87. Born in Bell County, Texas, she grew up in the Tennessee Valley alongside six sisters and four brothers. Though poor, their family was rich when it came to close bonds and love. Ties to her siblings remained strong throughout her life.

An exceptional student, Wilma graduated from high school early and earned a full scholarship to the nursing program at the University of Houston. While in school, Wilma was set up on a blind date with Ted Cooper. They married in 1954. Wilma worked as a public health nurse to support the two of them in various cities in TX and CA while Ted completed a Masters degree in education and his service in the Army.

With the arrival of Tam, and later Dwight, Wilma and Ted started their family. They returned to El Paso where they acted as the on-site managers and directors of a Boy Scout camp. In the summer of 1964, Ted & Wilma moved their family to Durango and bought Hermosa Ranch where they raised hay in the summers for more than 10 years. The land is now where Animas Valley Elementary, the Blue Sky subdivision, and Red Rocks Range are located.

Their family was complete with the arrival of Cassandra "Cassi" in 1969 and Cameron "Cam" in 1973. Always open to adventure and opportunity, they started up a rafting company with Wilma's brother, Wayne for a handful of years. At the same time, Wilma and Ted invested in Animas Park for Mobile Homes and managed it and other area properties for more than 35 years. Residents appreciated Wilma's fairness and insistence that homes and lots be well taken care of to provide a pleasant place to live.

Wilma knew how to enjoy herself and stayed active in her life and community. She enjoyed dancing, hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, canoeing, rafting, sewing, quilting, knitting, and reading. She was instrumental in opening a daycare program for infants at the First Methodist Church. Later, she returned to her roots and joined the First Presbyterian Church of Durango where she became a cherished member of their community.

Wilma was most devoted to her four children: Tam, Dwight, Cassi & Cam. She supported all their endeavors and did all she could to help them succeed. Whether it was a birthday, Christmas, reunion, wedding, graduation, or vacation, Wilma was there to be present and go the extra mile to make it memorable. She put together and planned countless celebrations, making her delectable desserts and savory meals for the enjoyment of all.

Her family was truly blessed to have this amazing woman in their lives. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 1159 East 3rd Avenue on Friday, August 13th at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate her remarkable life. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church at www.fpcdurango.org/give.