Craig Copeland lives in Benbrook, Texas with his wife Jane. He has two sons, Lucas Copeland and Taylorwho passed away in 1994 as the result of a rodeo accident. The good LORD has blessed him with two bonusdaughters, Jenissa and Annie.As a young boy Craig dreamed of being a cowboy. He idolized Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and various othersilver screen cowboys. At age eleven an uncle introduced him to the magical world of rodeo where his hero’schanged to Shoulders, Thompkins and Benny Reynolds.After graduation from college and twelve years employment with the State of Texas he traded in his coat andtie for starched Wranglers and western shirts.After a decade of working for amateur stock contractors Craig’s college education and school of hard knocksfinally paid dividends when he was offered a job with Harper, Morgan and Auger Rodeo Company. Thisintroduction to pro rodeo was followed by 8 years with Mesquite Championship Rodeo where the real educationtook place. Tired of sleeping in the same bed every night he packed up his belongs and began working forFrontier Rodeo Company.Craig retired in 2012 and started Lil’ Reds Longhorn Saloon in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards. TheLonghorn has been the title sponsor of the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame Golf Tournament for the past 11 years.Craig iseternally grateful to Neal Gay, Jack Beckman, Don Gay and Jerry Nelson for giving him theopportunities to make his dreams come true.
