Kenneth Cooper Nodolf

Kenneth Cooper Nodolf, affectionately known as Coop, was born on May 11, 2008, in Odessa, Texas, to Kurtis and Laura Nodolf, arriving just minutes before his twin sister, Addie. He passed away on March 10, 2026, at the age of 17 following a tragic accident.

From early childhood, Cooper was known for his kind, loving, intelligent, and funny nature. He formed deep friendships easily and made each person in his large circle feel uniquely valued. He shared a close, teasing, and fiercely loyal bond with his twin sister, Addie, always supporting her as she did him. A natural athlete, he began with soccer, moved into football as a defensive player and kickoff gunner, and ultimately found his greatest passion in track and field, excelling in the long jump, triple jump, and the 400-meter relay. His bright red curls and long stride made him instantly recognizable on the track, where he competed with heart and encouraged his teammates with quiet kindness and steadfast support.

Cooper was equally accomplished in the classroom, earning straight A’s, an academic letter each year, induction into the National Honor Society, and a place in the top five percent of his class at Midland High School. He found deep joy in hard work and the outdoors, especially at his godparents’ ranch in San Saba, Texas. There, under his father’s guidance, he learned to work livestock, drive tractors, hunt, fish, and ride ATVs, often retreating to his favorite overlook above the Colorado River known as “the Point.”

Above all, Cooper lived by a genuine and active Christian faith. He wore Philippians 4:13 on his letterman jacket and sought to live its truth daily, most visibly when he gathered with athletes from rival schools to pray openly after a track meet. He is survived by his parents, 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 wide circle of friends who considered him a brother.