Thomas (Tom) S. Cooper 1940 - 2012

Early in the morning of Wednesday, October 17, 2012, our beloved Thomas S. Cooper passed into the loving arms of our Lord. Tom was born on July 27, 1940 in Cooper, NM to Mark and Faye Cooper. Tom was the 3rd of 4 children, and was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Leta Fern and one brother, Doyle. His remaining brother Carl Cooper and sister-in-law Mardine reside in Roswell. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Carol Cooper of Las Cruces. He is also survived by his three daughters, Marla Cooper of Las Cruces, Carla Bell & husband Michel of Midland, TX, and Carrie Cooper of Hobbs, as well as one son, Greg Cooper of Las Cruces, and step sons Gary Thurm, Jr. of Minden, NV and Evan & Renee Thurm of Portland, OR. He loved and was dearly loved by his 4 grandchildren, Jessie and Christie Rankin, Scott Macatee and Brenna Bell. Tom was raised on a ranch northeast of Roswell, NM, and was a proud graduate of Roswell High School's Class of 1958. He met Mary Jean Witte (now deceased) while attending New Mexico State University, and they married in November; Mary Jean was the mother of their four children. Tom graduated from NMSU after which he began his life-long career in public accounting. In 1976, he purchased the first of several ranches that would become Cooper Cattle Company. He loved the cattle business - the cattle, the horses, and being outdoors in God's country - almost as much as he loved his children. Tom was a leader in issues he held dear to his heart, especially regarding private property rights and public lands issues, constitutional policy making and private enterprise. He served as an officer in Las Cruces Tea Party, chaired People for Preserving our Western Heritage, and also served on the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee. He was a firm believer in capitalism and free enterprise. As an accountant and businessman, he was devoted to his clients, who have often spoken of him as the most honest, knowledgeable and clear thinking individual with whom they had ever worked. Tom was a member of Mission Lutheran Church, coming to regard his fellow parishioners as brothers and sisters in Christ. He will be greatly missed by his family and many good friends, but they rest secure in the assurance that Tom now resides with our Lord. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Mission Lutheran Church, 2752 Roadrunner Parkway in Las Cruces. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice to honor Tom's memory.