R.C. Bales
R.C. Bales | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | July 10, 1930 McKinney, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | August 16, 2023 (aged 93) |
| Occupation | Bull rider |
R.C. Bales (July 10, 1930 – August 16, 2023), nicknamed "Granny" and "Cotton",[1] was an American professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding.
Life and career
Bales was born in McKinney, Texas, the son of Riley and Elsie Bales. At the age of 15, he began his rodeo career, and in 1948, he joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association.[2] He competed in rodeo events in Mexico.[3][4]
In 1965, Bales competed at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas,[5] and in the same year, he competed in the bull-riding event at the Louisiana State Fair Annual Rodeo Set.[6] In 1967, he competed at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, placing first in the same event.[7] He was named the "first cowboy to win a 150-head bull riding" by the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, and in 1971, he retired from his rodeo career.[8]
In 2023, Bales was inducted into the Bull Riding Hall of Fame.[9]
Death
Bales died on August 16, 2023, at the age of 93.[2]
References
- ↑ "R. C. Bales Injured". The Shreveport Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. April 4, 1959. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "R.C. Bales". Legacy. Retrieved August 4, 2026 – via Legacy.com.
- ↑ "R.C. Bales". Melancon-Levingston Funeral Home. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Rodeo In Mexico". Horse Lover's Magazine. Vol. 22–23. 1957. p. 62 – via Google Books.
- ↑ "Bucking Bulls Make Life Hard". Denton Record-Chronicle. Denton, Texas. February 7, 1965. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Local Cowboy in Lead In Rodeo Bronc Riding". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. May 2, 1965. p. 23. Retrieved August 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Walt Linderman Wins All-Around Crown At Frontier Days Rodeo". Pueblo Chieftain. Pueblo, Colorado. July 31, 1967. p. 16. Retrieved August 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "R. C. "Granny" Bales". Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Class of 2023 Inductees". Bull Riding Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 4, 2026.