Clinton Douglas “Bubba” Monkres was born on August 13, 1963 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the only son of Jack and Mary Monkres and grew up with one older sister, Tina, who gave him his nickname.
Bubba was introduced to rodeo by his cousin Ray. He became especially interested in bull riding and would spend many days riding the bucking barrel at his cousin’s house. In 1972, his family moved to Everman, Texas where he lived most of his life. He began to enter local youth rodeos and soon became an accomplished bull rider, winning his first title as the 1978 AJRA World Champion (American Junior Rodeo Association).
In 1981, Bubba joined the PRCA and did nothing else but ride bulls professionally until his retirement in 1995. It was during these 14 years that he made everlasting friendships and traveled with some great bull riders including: Joe Gaskin, Philip Graf, Jay Cochran, Brent Terry, Kirk Allmon, Cliff Overstreet, Norman Curry, Randy Thornton, Buddy Reed and the late Brent Thurman, just to name a few.
Bubba won the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding in 1988, making one of his most memorable rides on a bull they called “018 Cowtown”. In 1992, he was crowned the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Bull Riding Champion. Bubba was on his way to his first NFR that same year until a bull named “Gunslinger” broke his arm in four places at Waco, Texas. Bubba qualified seven times for the Texas Circuit Finals and won or placed at almost every Pro Rodeo in Texas during his career.
On January 31, 2005, Bubba unexpectedly passed away at the age of 41. He was blessed with one daughter, Hallie Monkres, who is also a tough rodeo competitor. Bubba would be most humbled by receiving this award.
