Remembering Terry Cooke
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association has lost one of the truly good ones. Terry Cooke, longtime CPRA judge, former President of the Association, one time bull rider, bush pilot and Hall of Fame campfire storyteller passed away overnight after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
A cowboy in every sense of the word, Terry left an indelible mark on professional rodeo, the sport he loved so dearly and worked so hard to make better. He competed in amateur rodeos and won the bull riding at Dawson Creek in 1978. But a full-time commitment as a pilot for his dad’s outfitting business made it necessary for him to quit riding bulls, a decision he called “the smartest thing to do although I never considered that cowboys always made the smartest decisions”.
Terry judged his first Pro Rodeo in 1993 and enjoyed judging everything from small rodeos to the biggest and best, both in Canada and the US.
As for his time in the President’s chair, Terry Cooke referenced several areas that he was proud to have been a part of, among them, development of the Maple Leaf Circuit, growth of the Judging program, a return to financial stability and positivity within the Association, the addition of Breakaway Roping to the CPRA and the return of the CFR to Edmonton for its 50th Anniversary.
Association CEO Denny Phipps comments on Terry’s passing, “Terry Cooke dedicated much of his life to the sport of rodeo and the CPRA. He was a man of honesty and integrity who always let you know where you stood; he was more than a leader, he was a friend. Thoughts and prayers to Kimeal and his family, we will miss him.”
In Terry’s own words when he stepped down as President earlier this spring: “I hope you all remember, we are The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and it is good to keep that identity. We have an amazing brand, one that is getting better every year. Safe travels and thank you for believing in my vision and fairness, in and out of the arena.”
CPRA Board, staff and members join in extending condolences to Terry’s wife Kimeal, all of Terry’s family and his many, many friends. We will miss the laughter, the ever-present helpful hand and the passion Terry Cooke had for the sport he dedicated so much of his life to.
Rest easy cowboy and enjoy that sheep hunt.