Richard Leroy Cooper II, “Coop” ~ April 8th, 1959 to September 21st, 2023

Richard Leroy Cooper passed away at his home in Yerington on Thursday, September 21, 2023.  He was 64

Richard Leroy Cooper II, “Coop,” was born to Mildred Hargus and Richard Leroy Cooper I in
Phoenix, Arizona, on April 8th, 1959. In 1962, the family moved to Laytonville, California, to help
John R. Hargus “Granddad” on Ranch Primero. Here, Mildred raised Richard and his brothers,
Johnny, Robert, and Jack. The family settled at the Lazy GF ranch in September of 1975.

Richard graduated from Yerington High School in 1977 and continued baling and working cattle and land
with his brothers.  Shortly thereafter was the birth of his first daughter Jessica, followed by Richard III, Rachel,
and Grace. During this time, Richard worked for IFA, Snyder Livestock Company, and Denson
Surveying, where he explored the state of Nevada by foot. Following this, he moved to Colorado and
worked for the City of Durango for a decade as a beloved coworker and treasured community
member.

Richard with his mother, Mildred, at Mountain View Park in Yerington for the 4th of July, 2022:

He returned to his roots in Yerington in 2017, where he worked for Peri and Sons Farms and
was able to spend time with his mother Mildred, children, and grandchildren William, Cooper, and
Clare. Coop will forever be remembered for: his love of animals, including his chickens; his green
thumb for cacti, roses, and his garden; and, for his knowledge and love of the moon. Most of all, we
will cherish Richard for his witty sense of humor and undevoted love for his family, friends, and
kindness to all.

Please join us for a Celebration of his Life on Sunday, October 8th in Yerington, Nevada at
Tailgaters Sports Bar, 517 West Bridge Street, Yerington at 3:00pm.

Family and friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.FRFH.net.

Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911

Photos of Richard by Nathan Koop:

Nathan Koop, good friend of Richard’s, wrote this for his Dear Friend :

Your death came on the first cold, rainy day of September. Tears flow like the leaves falling from the giant cottonwood you’d often eat your lunch under.
The universe felt your death and struggled to carry it because your loss is heavy as lead.

Your laugh was distinct and one I will miss.
You often told me you would outlive me, and I’m sad it’s not true.
You said your diet of bacon and two pots of coffee would give you at least 100 years of life.

You were the last of the true cowboys. Tough as nails, but as kind as they come.
When you would talk of your kids and grandkids, your eyes would light up like a kid discovering a present under the soft glow of a lit-up tree on Christmas morning. Proud is an understatement.

Your love for your mother was undying.
And your respect and love for your brothers was well known.
I now imagine you burned in my head the way I want to remember you — a glass of whiskey, police scanner subtly in the background, as you listen, watching the sun go down slowly.

I’ll look for you in the sunsets and learn to listen for you in the falling leaves of an autumn tree.

Rest in the deepest state of peace and love.

Nathan Koop with Richard Cooper: