Cooper Henry Deatherage, 19, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at his home in Brookings, South Dakota, surrounded by his family. A Funeral Service was held Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at GracePoint Wesleyan Church in Brookings, SD.

Cooper Henry Deatherage made his entrance into Heaven and is now completely healed. At 3:16 a.m., surrounded by the love of his family, Cooper was welcomed into the arms of his Savior—a moment his family holds close to their hearts as a reminder of God’s love, grace, and promise of eternal life.

Cooper graduated from Brookings High School in May of 2025. He was preparing to pursue his lifelong passion for aviation through the South Dakota State University Aviation Program.

Cooper loved to work and believed every job deserved your full effort. For five years, he worked on the grounds crew at the Brookings Country Club, where the crew affectionately called themselves the “Blue Collar Crew.” He loved every minute of it—the early mornings, the camaraderie, the pride of hard work well done and the satisfaction of never cutting corners. He also worked at Sterling Technology and served as a youth hockey referee and with the Brookings Rangers Termites program. Employers, coaches, teammates, teachers and parents respected Cooper for his discipline, humility, strong work ethic and quiet leadership. If Cooper said he would do something, it was done—and done right.

Known by many on the ice as “Juice,” Cooper was an assistant captain for the Brookings Rangers hockey team. He loved the game, but even more than that, he loved the people around it. He led not through speeches, but through action—showing up early, working hard, staying disciplined and encouraging others simply by the way he lived.

If Cooper expected something, he expected it of himself first. He pushed himself daily, whether in the gym, on the ice, in his academics, at work or in life, and he did so without judging others or asking for recognition.

He loved golfing with his dad, lifting weights with his sister Morgan, and watching movies with his sister Emma, whose homemade cookies he claimed were second to none. He called family often, checked in on friends and made people feel remembered. Whether through a quick text, a phone call or simply showing up, Cooper made sure people knew they mattered. He had a sense of humor, an old soul and a steadiness about him that made people feel comfortable and understood.

Cooper loved all kinds of music, especially 70s and 80s country, and he loved loud engines, exhausts, and anything with power behind it. He saved up to put an exhaust system on his truck that could wake up the neighbors as he headed to 6 a.m. hockey practice. As a little boy, he would ask to stop and watch “diggers” at construction sites, fascinated by big machines long before his dreams eventually turned toward aviation and flying.

What made Cooper truly rare was not only what he accomplished, but how he treated people. He genuinely saw others. It did not matter someone’s age, status, popularity, or circumstances— Cooper met people where they were. He listened carefully, made eye contact, offered encouragement, and gave people his full attention. He never needed to be the loudest person in the room or the center of attention. His kindness was quiet, intentional, and deeply genuine. So many stories shared by family and friends echo the sentiment: “Cooper saw me.”

His faith in God was strong, steady and deeply personal. He loved listening to Billy Graham and lived his faith through kindness, humility, gratitude, perseverance and service to others. Even in difficult moments, Cooper continued thanking caregivers and praying for those he loved. In his final days, while facing his own challenges, he was still asking others to pray for his mom because he knew she carried so much on her heart.

If more people viewed the world through Cooper’s lens—with compassion, integrity and genuine care for others—the world would undoubtedly be a better place. Though his time here was far too short, the way he lived, loved and showed up for people leaves a lasting impact that will continue in the lives of those who knew him.

Cooper is survived by his parents Chad and Tracey (Brown) Deatherage of Brookings, SD, two sisters, Emma Deatherage of Brookings, SD, and Morgan Minnicks of Lexington, KY, grandparents, Donna Brown of Tullahoma, and Carl and DeCarla Slovinski of Edmond, OK. He is also survived by his uncle Ryan and aunt Jill Deatherage of Kingfisher, OK, and great uncles and aunts, Jimmy and Sheila Jordan of Tecumseh OK, Mike and Sonya Hinkle of Bethel Acres, OK, Carol Deatherage Rice of Chandler, OK, Doyle Searcy of Tullahoma, Shirley Lievanos, Tullahoma, and Barbara Ridner of Manchester, Keith and Amanda Searcy of Lynchburg, TN, along with many cherished cousins, especially Andrew, Aubrey and Amy Deatherage.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather Johnny Deatherage. Cooper’s family has established a memorial for the Brookings Ice Skating Association (BISA). In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to the Cooper Deatherage Scholarship Fund.

Please make checks payable to BISA and write “Cooper Deatherage Scholarship Fund” in the memo line. Mail to: BISA, P.O. Box 374, Brookings, SD 57006. Memorials may also be directed to brain cancer research.

Tullahoma News – June 10, 2026