Weldon was born to Oletha and Worth Burgoon on March 2, 1930. From a very early age, Weldon could be found atop a fine horse, practicing his roping. In 1941, at the age of 11, he held his own while competing with senior ropers in the breakaway roping at rodeos in North Texas, and later in the tie-down and team roping competitions.
After obtaining his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) membership in 1950 and marrying Joy Moseley, they traveled across Texas and Oklahoma for several years. Soon after, they began their family with daughter Kippie and son Kris and opened a saddle shop, later adding western attire in Denton, Texas. 2010 marked the store’s 54th anniversary, with generations of family members involved. While still competing, Weldon was always the salesman, making grass strings and nylon ropes, and selling out of the back of his truck at rodeos. He also started making custom saddles, with over 150 happy customers to date.
During the 1970s, he continued his winning ways while competing in PRCA rodeos not too far from home. From 1985-1992, he often won money in the Old Timers Rodeo Cowboys Association.
From 1972-1981, Weldon produced the Denton, Texas Jr. Stampede for contestants 21 and under. He managed to get sponsors for trailers, saddles, buckles, and spurs for all those years. Though his love was working with the youth, he served as rodeo chairman for over 14 years with the North Texas State Fair & Rodeo. Today, he continues to sponsor the Mutton-Bustin event during the August event.
From 1976-1978, while his children were competing in high school rodeo events, he was active with the North Texas High School Rodeo Association and the Texas High School Rodeo Association. He also helped start the Denton County Youth Fair and Rodeo Livestock Association, which, after 35 years, is still one of the premier county livestock shows in the state.
He has served on boards as a member of the First United Methodist Church in Denton for over 40 years, as well as the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce, where he helped form an agri-business committee that sponsored the annual Denton county farm/ranch tour. A 4-H county calf roping school was under his leadership as well. An honor was bestowed upon the family when they were voted as the Denton Family of the Year in 2007.
Today, Weldon can be found daily in his saddle shop/western store, surrounded by his many special western collectible items, ready to educate anyone about the makings and history of them and sharing his many talents and experiences on the rodeo trail.
