Kenneth Cooper Nodolf

Kenneth Cooper Nodolf

May 11, 2008 – March 10, 2026

Kenneth Cooper Nodolf ran joyfully into the arms of his Savior on March 10, 2026, after a tragic accident. He was 17.

Affectionally known as Coop, he was born May 11, 2008, in Odessa, Texas, to Kurtis and Laura Nodolf, arriving just minutes before his twin sister, Addie, and immediately making it known that the world would never be the same. He enjoyed a happy and fruitful childhood, adored and cherished, with an expectation that he would grow strong as a man in his faith and his life. An expectation he was more than meeting when God called him home.

Cooper was inherently kind, loving, intelligent, articulate, and funny. His circle of friends was large, and he somehow made each one feel like the favorite. He enjoyed a close, teasing, and fiercely loyal relationship with his twin sister, picking on each other as siblings do, but always having each other’s backs.

He was a natural athlete who seemed born in motion. Cooper enjoyed many athletic pursuits and excelled at them. It started with soccer at a very young age, where he loved his teammates and playing forward—especially on the days the coach would finally let him out of the goalie box. He went on to football, playing defense at the dog position and serving as gunner on the kickoff team, wisely deciding that he preferred to be the tackler rather than the tackled.

Eventually, he discovered that his true love was track and field, where his long, powerful legs carried him in the long jump and triple jump. Even though he joked that the 400 was “long distance” and maybe not his favorite event, he ran the 400 open and anchored the 4×4 relay this year, digging deep for his team every time. That mop of unruly, bright red curls and those long legs were easy to spot on the track, adding at least two inches to his 6’2″ frame. He was a sight to see, and you always knew when Cooper was running.

Cooper embodied a true teammate and team player. He checked in on a teammate who had lost his mother, constantly encouraged others, and quietly did the small, kind things no one told him to do. One friend described him as a “best friend and a rock.” Others said he “always lit up my days,” “could always make you smile whatever the situation,” was “like a big brother,” “made us laugh like crazy,” and was “kind and carefree, lighting up the room with his bright smile and a laugh you could hear for miles.” He was always ready for a challenge—and to challenge his buds to a race or a wrestling match—and he was not above talking a little friendly smack along the way.

Cooper was just as exceptional in the classroom as he was on the field. He was a straight “A” student and received an academic letter every year. He was inducted into the National Honor Society at Midland High School and ranked in the top five percent of his class. His quick mind, curiosity, and work ethic made him a favorite of teachers and classmates alike.

Cooper was a hard worker and found enjoyment in it, especially in the great outdoors. His favorite place in the world was his Godparents’ ranch in San Saba, Texas. Under his father’s patient guidance, Coop learned to drive tractors and help with any ranch task that needed doing—working livestock, fixing what was broken, and tackling whatever chore came next. He loved hunting and fishing and had many whitetail racks to show for it. He enjoyed cruising the ranch on ATVs, usually with a buddy or two along for the ride, eventually ending up at his favorite spot: the beautiful high overlook above the Colorado River known as “the Point.” It was his place to breathe deep, take in God’s creation, and just be Cooper.

More than anything, Cooper was grounded in a strong and genuine Christian faith that guided his life. He chose to have Philippians 4:13 on his letterman jacket: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That verse was not just something he wore; it was how he tried to live. After a recent track meet, he and numerous other athletes from different schools met in the middle of the field to pray together, openly and unashamedly. Cooper was supported in every endeavor by Kurtis and Laura, who stood behind him at every practice, game, and meet, and beside him in every joy and challenge. The world is a much poorer place with his passing, but Heaven is surely louder with his laugh.

We write this in the hope of sharing just a tiny portion of the joy Cooper gifted into our lives. Nothing and no one can replace him; we simply pray we can remember that he loves us, that he is safely home, and that he wants us to be happy and keep running our own races until we see him again. Godspeed, Cooper Nodolf. Here is a giant hug, a heartfelt “thank you” for lighting up all our lives every day of yours, and an “I Love You!” until we meet again.

Cooper leaves behind to cherish his time with us his mother and father, Kurtis and Laura Nodolf; his twin sister, Elizabeth Adeline “Addie”; his grandparents Jean and Ken Nodolf, Rebecca Buffum, and Ron and Karen Buffum; his aunts and uncles Steven and Alexis Buffum, Ian Buffum, Kenny and Tamara Nodolf, Kevin Nodolf, and Kip and Katy Nodolf; his Godparents Mike and Vi Lea Borland and their family; and a vast assemblage of quasi-relatives and adopted aunts, uncles, grandparents, and innumerable friends who claimed him as their own.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mike “Pop Pop” Borland, Devin Phiffer, Daniel Gray, Arvin Aguilar, Mykol Aguilera, and the many young men and teammates he considered his brothers.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at The Branch at NPW, 3600 N. Big Spring St., Midland, Texas. Services will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 2:00 p.m. at First Methodist Church, 300 N. Main Street, Midland, Texas, with Pastor Kurt Borden officiating. Graveside services will follow on Monday, March 16, at 2:00 p.m. at San Saba City Cemetery in San Saba, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to AMOS Ministries at First Methodist Church, 300 N. Main St., Midland, Texas 79701.  Donations to your preferred charity in Cooper’s honor are also appreciated.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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