News: World Champion tie-down roper Jeff Copenhaver Passes Away
Jeff Copenhaver, the 1975 PRCA World Champion Roper and a key player in cowboy ministry died in Granbury, Texas on May 17. He was 73 years old.
Copenhaver is the son of Deb Copenhaver, two-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Equestrian and ProRodeo Hall of Famer. Deb, who was 94 years old, died on February 6, 2019.
It was a wonderful trip, Sherry Copenhaver said of her 43-year-old marriage to Jeff. I want people to know that he was a tremendous mentor and a fantastic ropes trainer and that I lived with a champion and a fighter.
Shandy Stromberg, the daughter of Jeff and Sherry, is married to Cody Stromberg.
In 1971, 1973-76, and 1978, Jeff qualified six times for the National Rodeo Finals. In 1974 and 1976, he finished fourth and fifth in the world rankings, respectively, and was world champion in 1975.
Jeff lived his life with enthusiasm and passion, Sherry said. He was able to return the favour. He was an excellent mentor and tutor, helping others to become world champions.
Jeff was born on a ranch in Post Falls, Idaho, on January 12, 1949.
Jeff began roping at the age of four and was competing professionally at the age of eleven. Jeff honed his roping talent by watching old movies by ProRodeo Hall of Famers Dean Oliver and Jim Bob Altizer, as well as getting help from his father, roper George Richmond and Warren Wuthier.
Jeff had a week-long period where he wanted to ride rough stock, but that quickly faded.
In a May 31, 1978 article in ProRodeo Sports News, Copenhaver commented: When he was 14 years old, he was 175 pounds, which was too much to start with, and I immediately decided to leave the broncos and bulls for someone else. He had been lassoing since he was around 11 years old and had always preferred tying calves.
In 1968, Jeff joined the PRCA. In 1976, he won the Columbia River Circuit year-end championship, and in 1978, he won the Lone Star Circuit, now known as the Texas Circuit, and in 1974 and 1978, he won the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
On May 31, 1978, PSN article, Copenhaver stated: A contestant may have all the skills in the world, but he won’t do any good unless he learns to win by taking all the mistakes out of him.
Jeff has spent over 30 years in the United States and Canada training champion tie-downs and breakaways. In addition, he has trained champions in Australia and Cuba.
At Billy Bob’s in the historic Fort Worth, Texas Stockyards, Jeff and Sherry founded America’s first cowboy church in 1986. Jeff and Sherry spent years teaching at lasso schools across the country and encouraging others to be champions of God. in their communities.
Copenhagen also published the book God Wants You to Win!
In a December 9, 2008 article in Spokesman-Review, Copenhaver commented on winning the world championship from him: It was amazing to reach a goal that had been my whole life. It consumed every thought, every breath, and every ounce of my being. ‘That’s all there is?’ I wondered as I sat on the edge of my bed that night. Even with the joy of having done it, there was a gap that prompted a three-year search.
According to the Spokesman-Review article, Copenhaver and his wife, Sherry, reconnected with an old friend three years later at a rodeo in New York’s Madison Square Garden, a roper from Connecticut, you can imagine how weird that is, he commented. Copenhagen.
His behaviour had an impact on the Copenhageners.
Copenhaver commented, that he could only see the peace, the joy, that something good had happened to him.
The Copenhaver’s returned to their motel after questioning his friend.
We knelt at the foot of our bed and prayed to Jesus Christ in our hearts, he recalled.
Corey Ross, roper and pastor, applauded Copenhaver.
The most important thing about Jeff was that he loved the Lord, Ross said. When you have a heart for God, you naturally want to help others. That was the goal of searching for him. I met Jeff many years ago and fell in love with him and his family.
Copenhaver’s funeral will begin at 10:30 a.m. m.
We knelt at the foot of our bed and prayed to Jesus Christ in our hearts, he recalled.
Corey Ross, roper and pastor, applauded Copenhaver.
The most important thing about Jeff was that he loved the Lord, Ross said. When you have a heart for God, you naturally want to help others. That was the goal of searching for him. I met Jeff many years ago and fell in love with him and his family.
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