1939-1944 –Began calf roping career while working in the family business, Tadlock Land and Cattle Company at the Fort Worth Stockyards, which bought and handled all the bull business that came through the Stockyards. He roped at local rodeos such as the Kennedall, Ponder, Denton, and many others.
1946-1961 –After returning from the U.S. Navy, continued his rodeo career. Purchased his RCA card in 1946. Traveled Lo major rodeos in Denver, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston. He placed in a majority of these. Rodeoed locally at Ponder, Keller, Mansfield, Mesquite, and Denton, many times making 3 in one night. Won and placed at many of these on a regular basis. In 1947 and 1949, he won the calf roping at the Stockyard Roping.
1961-1980 –Trained roping and cutting horses, including CaptainJoker,Jesse Bueno, and Skippy Scat, while still competing in rodeos and showing quarter horses. Won the Quarter Horse roping at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, in 1964.
1977-1979 –Competed in the Old Timer’s Ropings
1960-71 -Trained roping and cutting horses. Won numerous cutting horse titles in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Taught his daughter, Louann, to ride cutting horses. She also won several titles, including NCHA Youth Cutting Horse World Championship.
1970-1976 –Managed the Craver Ranch in Denton, TX. Trained roping horses and cutting horses and bailed thousands of bales of hay.
1961-1980 –Taught his son,J.D.Jr. to ride and rope. J.D. Jr. won 7 championship titles in the North Texas High School Rodeo Association. He competed at the PRCA level during the 1980’s and 90’s and won the Texas Circuit Finals in 1981.
1975-79 –Member of the Board of Directors of the North Texas High School Rodeo Association. Furnished 100 head of roping calves for the NTHSRA finals 2 years at no charge. During this time, tutored and mounted many cowboys and cowgirls, including J.D. Jr., Kris Burgoon, Gordie Moore, Connie Moore, and Leigh Ann Lambert.
1975-79 –Sponsored the Frisco High School Rodeo Club
1978-79 –Furnished at a minimal charge, roping calves for the Denton Stampede and Rodeo.
1972-1979 –Supported and promoted the Frisco High School Athletic Booster Club, where J.D. Jr. participated in sports and daughter, Marilyn was a cheerleader. Furnished and delivered the wood for the annual bonfire.
1966-79 –Supporter of the Denton High School and Frisco High School FFA programs. Helped raise funds to build the Ag Barn in Frisco. Three of his daughters, Connie, Louann, and Marilyn were all FFA Sweethearts.
1975 –Donated the steeple to the First Baptist Church, Frisco, TX
1978-1980– Along with Gary Moore, produced the annual “Bubble Gum Roping” held at the Cauble Arena in Denton, TX. It was formatted after the Copenhagen Skoal Ropings which included a match roping, but this was for ropers under the age of 19. This event was the forerunner for the annual “Gordie Moore Memorial Roping” held each May since 2006.
JD. married Polly Hampton in Fort Worth, TX, in 1946. He and Polly were married for 34 years before he passed away on November 13, 1980. They had 5 children:
