LINEMAN RYNE “NIKO” COOPER LEAVES BEHIND A WIFE AND TWO YOUNG SONS

TEXAS — A family is grieving the devastating loss of Ryne Cooper, an IBEW 66 lineman known to those close to him as “Niko.”

On August 11, Ryne was killed while performing high-voltage electrical repair work during power restoration.

He wasn’t simply a lineman.

He was a husband, a father, a brother-in-law, a coworker and a friend—and, to his family, the heart of their home.

A HUSBAND AND FATHER GONE TOO SOON

Ryne leaves behind his wife, Macy Rae, and their two young sons, Reed and Rory.

His sister-in-law, Kelsie, remembered him as a loving husband and devoted father, calling him “one of my very favorite people on this planet.”

Those who worked alongside Ryne are now standing with his family as they face a loss that words cannot fully describe.

A DANGEROUS JOB THAT TOO OFTEN GOES UNSEEN

Electrical lineworkers work in some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable, often restoring power when communities need it most.

Ryne was doing that work on August 11 when the workplace accident claimed his life.

Behind every restored light and every repaired power line are people who take enormous risks to keep communities running.

REMEMBERING NIKO

For Reed and Rory, their father won’t simply be remembered as a lineman.

He’ll be remembered as Dad.

For Macy, he’ll be the husband whose place at home can never be filled.

And for everyone who knew Ryne, he’ll be remembered for the person he was long before this tragedy.

Please keep Macy, Reed, Rory, Kelsie and everyone who loved Ryne in your thoughts.

Rest easy, Niko.