Ronald Kirk Cooper

Dr. Ronald K. Cooper, MD, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2021.

Ronald K. Cooper was born on October 11, 1933, in Melrose, New Mexico. He was the younger son of Earnest and Joyce Cooper. Ronald grew up on a small farm west of Melrose during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl years. As a child, he was up before dawn to milk cows and perform other tasks before breakfast, rode the bus to school, and repeated the same farm tasks each evening. During his childhood and adolescence, he participated in 4-H, played basketball and tennis, and raised several champion Hereford steers, including Domino, Grand Champion at the New Mexico State Fair in 1948.

When Ronald was 16 years old, he left home to attend Bethany Nazarene College. After completing college there, he attended medical school at The University of Colorado in Denver. Ronald graduated at age 25 in 1959. That year, he also married the love of his life, Rena, who had recently finished a nursing program at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. The two had met at church and quickly fell in love.

Ronald and Rena moved to Albuquerque, where they lived henceforth. Ronald worked as an OBGYN for over 35 years. He provided compassionate care to hundreds of women and was a well-respected doctor among his colleagues. Many of his patients recount him as the most professional and kindest doctor they ever had.

Ronald was a supportive and kind husband, brother, father, and grandfather. He was proud of his family members and celebrated their achievements and happiness as if they were his own.

Ronald was an active member of the Heights First Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed attending church camp at Bonita Park near Ruidoso, New Mexico, with his family in the summers. He was also an avid tennis player, competing in competitions at his local tennis club and around the state. As an adult, he owned a cattle ranch south of Melrose that he managed successfully with the help of some dear friends, including Jack Stockard, Deon Dodd, and Burl Dodd.

Ronald was preceded in death by his daughter, Jill Cooper; and his grandson, Caleb Beck. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rena Cooper; his brother and best friend, Leon Cooper; his daughter, Judith Cooper and her husband Eric Hooper; his son, Ronald "Ron" Cooper Jr.; his granddaughters Margaret Hendricks, Hannah Wells, and Brittney Cooper; his great-granddaughters Coraline Hendricks and Alice Wells; as well as beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will take place at 2:00pm, with a service to follow at 3:00pm on August 2, 2021, at FRENCH-Wyoming.

The service is available via a live-stream broadcast, it will be accessible by clicking HERE