Thursday, August 14, 2008


On Monday August 11th we lost a nephew, cousin, and friend, Ryan Cooper.

Here is his wonderful Obituary. I really think that it says it all.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ryan Thomas Cooper returned to his Heavenly Father August 11, 2008, tragically, following an automobile accident.

Ryan was such a joy to be around, he always greeted everyone with a huge smile on his face. With the infectious personality that he had, it was easy for him to make many friends.

Ryan was born October 26, 1981, in St. George to Tom Cooper and Kelly Parr Miller. Ryan was a beautiful child with his blonde hair and big brown eyes. He was just a tremendous kid.Ryan spent his childhood in Santa Clara where he attended Snow Canyon High School. He was very active in school and he excelled in football, basketball and soccer. Ryan got his GED in 2000.

Ryan married the love of his life, Kaysha Marie Gibson on September 24, 2005 in St. George. He was so happy that day, and looked forward to building a fulfilling life with her. They made so many happy memories as a newlywed couple on their honeymoon to Cabo San Lucas. Ryan and Kaysha started their new life together in Washington, Utah, where they worked together to start Cooper Concrete Co. Inc. Ryan took pride in his work and added much beauty to new homes, including his own dream home that he built with Kaysha. Ryan learned the concrete business working side by side with his step dad, Keith.

Ryan was the father of three beautiful children, Isabella, Kysen and Kash. He loved each of them very dearly. Ryan loved to spend time with his family and was so excited to watch his children grow up. Bella adored her daddy and learned many things from him. He was so excited when he taught her to wakeboard. Kysen looked up to Ryan, his "Ry Ry", and they loved playing together. Ryan coached Kysen in all of his sports and was looking forward to the upcoming soccer season. Ryan was so proud of his new baby boy, Kash. He could always make him laugh so hard. Kash loved being thrown up into the air and Daddy did it best.

Ryan was never one to sit around. He loved being out playing. During the summers he loved boating at the lake with his family and so many good friends. He could always count on the Reyos' to be there. All of the kids wanted to wakeboard just like Ryan, and he was more than happy to teach them. Ryan loved "trying" to golf, with Karl. They spent many good afternoons together. Kaysha was another good golfing buddy when Ryan didn't want to be so serious. Ryan loved taking the four-wheeler up to the mountains to hunt for sheds or take his bow to look for the "big one." During the winter you could find Ryan at Brian Head shredding the slopes.

Ryan loved his music. He was always playing "Name That Tune" with Kaysha and of course he always won. He loved grilling food for friends and family especially when the Kansas City Chiefs were playing. Every time he walked in the door after checking on the food he would say, "Ohh this is gonna be so GOOOOD!" Ryan loved food and loved to eat. He was taking flying lessons and loved to fly over his house and call the kids to tell them to look up. Ryan was always trying new things.

Ryan took care of his family and they always knew they could count on him, especially his baby sister Sierra and his mom who will miss him dearly. He has been the rock for his family whether it was hanging out with his uncle Matt or being there for his sister. Ryan will be truly missed by everyone that knew andloved him.

Ryan Cooper is survived by his wife, Kaysha, children, Isabella Jade Cooper (10), Kysen Jared Goodspeed (7), and Kash Ryan Cooper (10 mos.), his mother, Kelly Miller (Horace), father, Tom Cooper (Phyllis), stepfather, Keith Bawden (Lori), sister, Sierra, brothers, Skyler and Matt; mother and father-in-law, Dennis and Billie Gibson, grandparents, Joan Van Seters (Joe), Reed Parr (Becky), Claudine Cooper, Bob Cooper (Bertha), Sterling Bawden, Verla Bunnell (Dan), sisters and brothers-in-law, Rebel Gibson, Chad Gibson, Malea Gibson and Quinn Gibson, aunts and uncles, Matthew Parr, Kevin Parr (Tracey), Kelly (Marcia) Cooper, Craig (Elaine) Cooper, Lisa (Carl) Bowler, nieces and nephews, Kyleigha, Tayvin, Cambria, Parx, Charlotte, Gage and Kenzie, and many cousins. Ryan is preceded in death by Grandpa and Grandma the Great.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 14, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. with visitation two hours prior, at Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George.In lieu of flowers, a trust fund for Ryan's children has been set up at Beehive Credit Union.

2 comments:

Nicole said...

This obit is much better than the one they had online at the Spectrum...it was weird and a little incomplete. Thanks for posting it.

Too young - so sad. Did you ever get the chance to meet him?

Trinity said...

That is so horrible when life ends so suddenly for someone so young. That was a great tribute to him. I'm sure your family is happy you posted it.