For the past 75 years, the first weekend in August has become a tradition, multiple generation tradition for some families, to head to La Junta for the La Junta Kid's Rodeo.
This year, in honor of the 75th celebration of the Kid's Rodeo, the rodeo will be dedicated to the first year contestants.
Any and all help is appreciated with locating the first year contestants. There were 113 listed.
This list is as follows:
1. Tom Anderson, La Junta
2. Carroll Mays, Pritchett
3. Van Hollingsworth, Campo
4. Jimmy Price, La Junta
5. Box Sexton, La Junta
6. Earl Hunter, Arlington
7. Frankie Meeks, Swink
8. Bob Danielson, Trinidad
9. Jack Horton, La Junta
10. Charles Killen, N. La Junta
11. Donald Murray, La Junta
12. Buddie Best, Canon City
13. Louis Ray Britz, La Junta
14. Lyle Dean Britz, La Junta
15. Bruce Gerringer, Manzanola
16. Cepol Montana, la Junta
17. Amos Montoya, La Junta
18. Jay Showalter, La Junta
19. Billy McAllister, La Junta
20. Albert Magdaleno, La Junta
21. Victor Goudy, La Junta
22. John Jacobs, La Junta
23. Ruth E. Bradley, La Junta
24. Allen Rice, La Junta
25. Lee Cranson, North La Junta
26. Britton Hill, La Junta
27. Orval Seal, La Junta
28. Billy Drennen, La Junta
29. John Edwards, La Junta
30. Roy Pundt, Denver
31. Frank Cast, Denver
32. Santos Werick, La Junta
33. Alvin Wright, Rocky Ford
34. Junior Strandberg, La Junta
35. Jack Crowder, La Junta
36. Donald Graham, N. La Junta
37. Leon Peterson, La Junta
38. Jim Beavers, La Junta
39. Billy Chapman, La Junta
40. Sydney Crowder, Rocky Ford
41. Earl Bridges, La Junta
42. Lawrence Bradford, La Junta
43. Donald Williams, N. La Junta
44. John Hardy, La Junta
45. John H. Johnston, La Junta
46. Melvin Brown, La Junta
47. Alvin Snow, La Junta
48. Jack Snow, La Junta
49. Joe Carrica, La Junta
50 John Carrica, La Junta
51. Calvin Cranson, N. La Junta
52. Jerrold Hastings, La Junta
53. Dick Schillinger, La Junta
54. Max Singer, La Junta
55. Earl Conroe, Caddoa
56. Albert R. Passig, Ordway
57. Clayton F. Wright, Ordway
58. William Passig, Ordway
59. Harry Passig, Ordway
60. Tom Searl, Campo
61. George Lascor, La Junta
62. Ralph Mahoney, La Junta
63. Bobby Goudy, N. La Junta
64. Byron Stanley, Ordway
65. Merle Hixson, Ordway
66. George R. Hixson, Ordway
67. Jimmie Boetger, Ordway
68. C. Harry Kinsley, Las Animas
69. Mart S. Shannon, Las Animas
70. Jack Cantwell, Las Animas
71. Guy Singer, RR 2 La Junta
72. Bobbie Fox, RR 1 Lamar
73. Frank Springer R 3 La Junta
74. Bill Springer, R 3 La Junta
75. R.C. Autry Jr., La Junta
76. L. Cathcart, Las Animas
77. Donald Keither, Thatcher
78. Buddy Stone, La Junta
79. Richard Stone, R 1 La Junta
80. Ray Shehorn, Model
81. Billy Anderson, Sugar City
82. Bill Call, Rocky Ford
83. Kenneth Hainer, Chivington
84. Jack McCandless, La Junta
85. Jack Durham, Campo
86. H. Munsell, Olney Springs
87. Roy A. Hood, Olney Springs
88. Bruce Chandler, Boone
89. S. Best Hixon, Rocky Ford
90. Doorn D. Christian, La Junta
91. Roger Lewis, la Junta
92. Lulu Henerson, Tyrone, Colo.
93. Joe Garrett, La Junta
94. Walter Freeman, La Junta
95. Gene Crockett, Sugar City
96. Joe Edwards, La Junta
97. Robert Venter, La Junta
98. Harold Maffett, La Junta
99. Larry Ridennoure, La Junta
100. Buford Bailey, Lamar
101. Jack Eddleman, Lamar
102. Rex Walker, Lamar
103. Leroy McGinnis, Lamar
104. Grover Thompson, Lamar
105. Leon Shannon, Lamar
106. Joe McGinnis, Lamar
107. "Skeeter" Mender, Lamar
108. Johnny Duncan Jr., Lamar
109. L. Purinton, Collyer, Kan.
110. Hank Grimsley, Swink
111. Albert Mock, Olney Springs
112. Deloss Woodall, Ordway
113. Bob Dennis, Olney Springs
These are the contestants that were listed in the Aug. 10, 1938 issue of the La Junta Daily Democrat. If you are listed, or someone you know is listed, contact the La Junta Kid's Rodeo to be honored on this milestone occasion. Past champions are also asked to contact the La Junta Kid's Rodeo.
Email: ljkidsrodeo@yahoo.com
Darla Miller at home (719) 853-6696 or cell (719) 242-8186.
Like us on Facebook to follow the progress of events planned for the 75th anniversary.
