Altizer, who was born in Del Rio, Texas was known as “the greatest match roper of all times”. Ranch raised, he followed his father’s motto, “ranch first, rope second”, but it did not deter his winning ways.
He was the 1947 Texas State High School Champion and the 1948 National High School Champion in the calf roping. From 1950-1976, he contested in the professional ranks. He was the 1959 World Champion Calf Roper, 1967 World Champion Steer Roper, NFR calf roping average winner twice, and a National Steer Roping Finals average winner.
He competed in the National Finals calf roping 10 times and in the NFR Steer roping six times. He was named to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1979, Del Rio’s Most Valuable Citizen in 1985, Texas High School Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1986, and National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1995. He has been greatly missed by his family and by the sport of rodeo.
