What? No Jim Shoulders, RIP yet?

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jim Shoulders, one of the greatest rodeo cowboys in the history of the sport, died Wednesday. He was 79.
Shoulders died at 3:30 a.m. in his home in Henryetta after a long battle with a heart ailment, said his son, Marvin Paul Shoulders.
Jim Shoulders won 16 world championships, the most of any rodeo cowboy, and was a charter member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
“He was the Babe Ruth of rodeo,” his son said. “Besides being one of the greatest rodeo cowboys, he was a great man.”
Shoulders was still able to ride horses until a few months ago.
“He did not have to suffer,” his son said. “He wasn’t the kind of person who would handle that real good.”
Jim Bainbridge, a spokesman for the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., called Shoulders “the best rodeo cowboy ever.”
Born on May 13, 1928, in Tulsa, Shoulders was 14 when he entered his first rodeo. In 1949, at age 21, he won the first of his world titles.
Shoulders amassed five world championships in the all-around category, seven in bull riding and four bareback. He was nearly unbeatable during the 1950s.
Shoulders was the only man to win the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rodeo all-around title four times and was a seven-time winner of the Calgary Stampede. In addition to his 16 world championships, he was reserve champion another 10 times, including four second-place finishes in the all around.
“I think in future generations he will probably be the biggest rodeo cowboy hero that we have ever known, and we’ve had some great ones,” said rodeo announcer and longtime friend Clem McSpadden of Chelsea. “If Shoulders was a tree, he’d be the biggest tree in the rodeo forest, period, over and out.”
McSpadden said Shoulders’ ability to withstand pain was a key to his success.
“Rodeo had changed so much,” he said. “When he rodeoed, they didn’t even wear mouthpieces.
“Now with the training and medical background, they stretch, they have the best orthopedic surgeons available.
“Jim had none of that. He was just tough and would go beat you.
“He had no pain level. He was impervious to pain.”
Shoulders represented Wrangler, had a long association with the Justin Boot Company and was featured in a Miller Lite television and print advertising campaign.
The Shoulders have been ranchers in Henryetta since 1951.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, Marvin, and daughters, Jamie, Jana and Marci.
Funeral services were scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Jim Shoulders Rodeo Arena in Nichols Park in Henryetta, followed by burial at New Senora Cemetery, southeast of Henryetta, near his ranch.

 

My introduction to Jim Shoulders:

"I didn't punch that dogie."

RIP

 

Didn't realize Jim Bainbridge was the rodeo spokesman. A truly great guy. Thoughts and prayers to the cowboy's family and friends.