Tooter Waites was born in Del Rio, Texas on July 6, 1946. He was raised in Rocksprings where he started riding steers at the age of eight or nine. This led to a career of several years in the American Junior Rodeo Association entering all the events from the pole bending to the bull riding.
A graduate of Tarleton State University, Tooter was a member of their rodeo team for four years. He won the tie down roping at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) twice and was the first to qualify for the CNFR and the National Finals Rodeo in the same year.
Tooter qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in the tie down roping in 1972 and 1973. He was the Texas Circuit champion in 1976. Over the years he won the tie down roping or the team roping at many of the best rodeos in the country. Some of those include the Calgary Stampede; Ft. Smith, Arkansas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Cody, Wyoming; Casper, Wyoming; Vinita, Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Angelo, Texas; Pecos, Texas; Amarillo, Texas and runner-up at Cheyenne, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, and Houston.
Tooter married Carolyn Hinds in 1968, and they have three daughters, Lisa Hambrick, Kristi Hutton, and Kelli Weakly. Although he still likes roping with his sons-in-law and spending time with their families, the best part of his days are spent hanging with his five granddaughters and three grandsons.