Lewis Cooper

Lewis Cooper
September 11, 1938 - June 12, 2017

Lewis Lee Cooper, 78, died surrounded by his family on Monday, June 12, 2017. Lewis was born in Portales, New Mexico in 1938, the son of Marshall and Georgiana Cooper.
He leaves his wife of 39 years, Ann Cooper; his step children, Rick and Evelyn Ledbetter, of Portales, NM, Debbie Ledbetter, of Campbell, CA, Terry Vinson of Glorietta, NM, and Linda Bellinger, of Lake Charles, LA; his sister Laurie Wright of Clovis, NM; his grandchildren Spencer Ledbetter and fiancé Samantha Stephens of Grandbury, TX, Alexandra Ledbetter of Portales, NM and Ryan Bellinger of Lake Charles, LA and many other family members and close friends. His nieces and nephews adored him and his many cousins held him in high regard.

Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lillian Jones and two brother-in-laws, Arthur "Hap" Jones and Gerald Wright.

Lewis went to basic training in 1957 and served in the Army Reserve for 13 years. Lewis moved to the Texico/Farwell area in 1961. He retired after 39 years with Helton Oil in Farwell, Texas. Lewis served his community as a member of the Texico Chamber of Commerce, a Texico City Council Trustee, represented the City of Texico on the Ute Water Authority and a board member of Yucca Telecom. In 1978, Lewis was named the Texico Man of the Year.

Firefighting became his life's work. Lewis joined the Texico Fire Department in 1964 and had served 53 years. In 1989, he became the Fire Chief at Texico and served on the Board of Directors of the Fire Chiefs Association and the EMS Region III. Lewis was named the Texico Fireman of the Year twice in 1995 and 1999. Under Lewis' leadership, the Texico Fire Department became one of the best volunteer fire departments in New Mexico.

Lewis was loved and respected by all who knew him.

His Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 10am MDT at the Texico Sports Arena, 620 North Griffin Street, Texico, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations be made to the Texico Firefighters Association or the Texico - Farwell Seniors Citizens.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Texico Fire Department and his many friends for their support and kindness during this difficult time.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Steed-Todd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana Blvd., Clovis, New Mexico (575) 763-5541. You may sign the online guest registry at www.steedtodd.com.

Visitation

Public Viewing

Steed-Todd Funeral Home
Clovis, NM
Friday, June 16, 2017
9:00am to 8:00pm

Public Viewing

Steed-Todd Funeral Home
Clovis, NM
Saturday, June 17, 2017
9:00am - 5:00 pm

Public Viewing

Steed-Todd Funeral Home
Clovis, NM
Sunday, June 18, 2017
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Service

Celebration of Life

Texico Sports Arena
620 North Griffin Street
Texico, NM  88135
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Texico Cemetery
Texico Cemetery
Texico, NM  88135

Memorial Contributions

Texico Volunteer Firefighters Association
PO Box 208
Texico, NM  88135

Farwell Senior Citizens
PO Box 208
Texico, NM  88135