History
Bryan Cooney 1920-2015
Jordan Sawdo 1932-2020
Early Organization
Many members of the Western Interior Paleontological Society are curious about the origins of our society.
The idea of an organized group for interested fossil collectors often surfaced in the paleontology classes that WIPS co-founder Jordan Sawdo taught over the years. The primary areas of interest were collecting areas, exhibiting techniques, field methods, preparation techniques, and attending paleontology classes.
There was hesitation about forming a separate paleontology organization because it might draw away some members of the existing mineral clubs.
Bryan and Jordan Meet in the Classroom
In 1982, co-founder Bryan Cooney and his daughter, Pat Jablonsky, attended one of Jordan’s paleontology classes sponsored by the Colorado Mineral Society. They explained to Jordan how the paleontology section of the Houston Gem and Mineral Society had split off and was now functioning successfully. Bryan and Jordan thought that contacting all past paleo class students would allow them to form a similar organization. They had over 100 signups in favor of a separate paleontological organization, which gave them the impetus to form a 501(c)(3).
WIPS was fully incorporated on January 22, 1985
Bryan’s Story
Bryan never stopped playing, appreciating, and teaching music. Over the years, though, and while still living in Texas, Bryan found himself drawn back to West Texas, where he found ancient remains of creatures that had lived millions of years ago. This passion for invertebrate fossils would eventually help him land that job at the Colorado School of Mines as the curator of geology collections and the department collections manager. He held this position for 21 years before retiring in his late 80s. In 2005, Bryan was awarded the prestigious Mines Medal for his dedication to the School of Mines. Bryan, with Jordan Sawdo, founded the Western Interior Paleontological Society. He was also a research associate at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. He donated thousands of invertebrate fossils to museums in Texas and Colorado, including the Brazosport Museum. Bryan was also one of the founding members of the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra..
Jordan’s Story
Additional lifetime teaching experiences ranged from his dedicated work of teaching from his basement at night, to a decade of fossil and related geology classes at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Furthermore, Jordan selflessly created courses for anyone who requested them, including school groups, where he and Ruth spent hours volunteering their time to devote to education of the youth. Jordan also provided displays and unique specimens to many museums, including the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Adams County Museum, and the Smithsonian Museum, where the fossil named after him, Eretmocrinus sawdoi, is currently housed.
Jordan’s wife, Ruth Sawdo, started the movement to introduce the Stegosaurus as the Colorado State fossil, with her 4th grade students, as part of a unit teaching students how to pass a bill. They lobbied both houses, wrote numerous letters, presented to the legislature, and after a few years, the Stegosaurus became the Colorado State Fossil by executive order of Governor Richard Lamm.