ProRodeo Sports News -March 5, 2021

Rodeo Utah in 1979. She won the coveted speech award at Miss Rodeo America. She was known for her sense of style, determined spirit and larger-than-life presence. Cooper-Larsen earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees fromUtah State University in marketing/education. She was a professor of professional sales at Weber State University in Ogden. She was presented the Utah Association of Marketing Educators Teacher of the Year Award twice. She shared her expertise with thousands of students during her 36 years as a professor. Cooper-Larsen was preceded in death by parents, Gary L. Cooper (Hi-Noon) and Bonnie Jean Cooper; brother, Cameron Cooper; and in-laws Darwin M. Larsen and Karen L. Larsen. She is survived by husband, Kurt; siblings Gary Alan Cooper and Candace Johnston; Kurt’s siblings Kari-Jo ( Jim) Larsen Whitelock, Shauna Larsen, Kory (Karen) Larsen, Brad (Angie) Larsen; and nieces and nephews. Donations are asked to be made to the Desiree Cooper-Larsen Professional Sales Scholarship Endowment at Weber State University.

DESIREE COOPER-LARSEN

PASSAGES

Desiree Cooper-Larsen, the only woman to chair the Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days Celebration in its 87-year history, passed away Feb. 28 from complications of COVID-19. She was 61. Cooper-Larsen

JOHN WARREN MCFARLANE

JohnWarren McFarlane, a former PRCA cowboy and National Finals Rodeo pick-up man in 1976, passed away Feb. 22. He was 80. McFarlane was born on Aug. 9, 1940, in Downey, Calif., to Ed and Caroline McFarlane. McFarlane had a passionate love for his horses. He joined the PRCA in the 1960s, winning numerous all-around titles working both ends of the arena. He was runner-up for the Linderman award twice. McFarlane was preceded in death by father, Ed; mother, Caroline; and son, Craig. McFarlane is survived by brother, Dave McFarlane; sisters Sue and Beth McFarlane; children Kay Lee McFarlane, Sharron (Pat) Kirby, Kris (Robert) Mitchell, Jerad (Katie) McFarlane; and stepdaughter, Shelly (Robert) Buckner. Also 12 grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held later.

was the heart and soul of the Ogden Pioneer Days Celebration. She worked endlessly to build a world-class rodeo, and Ogden Pioneer Days was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall

Cooper-Larsen

of Fame in 2017. She also was the president of the Miss Rodeo Utah Executive Board as well as a member of the Miss Rodeo America Foundation Board. Cooper-Larsen was born in Provo, Utah, Oct. 1, 1959, she grew up on the family farm in Lehi. She had a happy childhood riding horses and was the shining light of her family. She was Miss Rodeo Lehi. She went on to become Miss

PRCA NOTES

Secretary and timer Jody Cox, right, and timer Emilie White prepare to enter contestants before the evening performance of the Wide Open in Fort Pierce, Fla., Feb. 27. Into the Great Wide Open Jessica Burns photo

ProRodeo Sports News 3/5/2021

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