Joe F. “Smokey” Davis was born to Joe and Alice Davis on August 25, 1933, in Crosby, TX. Smokey’s father, Joe was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2001. Smokey has been married to his wife, Betty for fifty seven years. They are blessed with five children, ten grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Smokey started competing in rodeos when he was around six years old. He has competed in several events including calf roping, steer wrestling, steer roping, bareback riding, and bull riding. Smokey began working as a pick up man at rodeos in 1954. He and his father, Joe, picked up rodeos for not only their rodeo production but for many other stock contractors over the years as well as picking up for the Texas Prison Rodeo for 17 years.
Smokey started co-producing rodeos in 1972, and eventually he and his father started their own rodeo company, Rafter “D” Rodeo Company, in 1978. There were four generations of Davis’ involved in the production. Rafter “D” Rodeo Company has produced many different types of rodeos including professional, open, high school, collegiate, youth and convention rodeos. Smokey was a member of the SRA, GCRA, TRA, TPRA, CPRA, NIRA, IRA, and IPRA. He was a calf roper and pickup man for the SRA. From 1982-2000, he served as the Stock Contractor Producer, Governor on the Board of Directors for the IPRA.
Smokey’s stock has been to many rodeo finals and has received many awards for their performance. He has produced rodeos for some of the largest and oldest rodeos in the state of Texas . In 2001, Smokey retired from producing professional, open and college rodeos but continued to produce rodeos for dignitaries and convention groups.
In 2007 the Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo Association honored Smokey and Betty by naming them the Fair Honorees and dedicating the entire Fair and rodeo to them for their many years of service.
Smokey has been a cowboy and rancher all his life and has been instrumental ,as a rodeo contractor, in promoting the great sport of rodeo in the State of Texas. If you were to talk to any cowboy or cowgirl in the State of Texas, they would tell you that Smokey Davis and the Rafter “D” Rodeo Company always put on a fair and professional rodeo. He is the patriarch of the Davis family and a true legendary cowboy.
