Curtis Barron was born April 1, 1909, on a farm in Bell County, Texas, and has lived most of his life in Milam, County. Since his father was “kind of a horse trader”, Curtis developed and early interest in horses.
He started roping goats at the age of 15 and a few years later started entering calf ropings and wild cow milking competitions.
After Curtis married his wife, Jewell, they traveled the rodeo circuit all over Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, with Curtis roping and Jewell competing in barrel racing. They carry many fond memories of the people they met and grew to love while sitting around the campfires and camping out at the rodeos.
One of the first members of the Cowboy Turtles Association, forerunner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, he is still a member of the PRCA.
Always busy, Curtis trained and sold many roping horses in addition to working at Leddy’s Saddle Shop where learned the art of leather working and building saddles. He built saddles for many years, but now he limits his work to the repair of saddles and other leather work in a shop at his home place five miles east of Cameron.
Curtis isn’t superstitious, as the number 13 has brought him luck. He drew calf #13 six times in one year and placed five times.
Although Curtis almost quit rodeo competition, roping is still in his blood and even at the age of 73 Curtis continues to go as a spectator to enjoy the sport to which he has dedicated a lifetime.
