The 1980 world champion steer wrestler has died, but his legacy includes a family tree rich in rodeo history.
As a 12-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier and the 1980 world champion steer wrestler, Butch Myers certainly made a significant impact on rodeo.
His accomplishments in the arena are just one area where he touched the sport so close to his heart. The cowboy well known by many in Kansas left behind a legacy not seen by most.
Residing in Athens, Texas, Myers was 78 years old at the time of his unexpected passing on July 24, 2024.
Inside the arena, Myers qualified for the NFR a total of twelve times. During the years 1980-87, 1989, 1995 and 1997, the talented cowboy qualified in steer wrestling. As an all-around hand, Myers also made it to the NFR in tie-down roping in 1989.
Myers’ three children went on to be a part of the elite rodeo sport as well. Rope is a nine-time NFR qualifier in steer wrestling and followed in his father’s footsteps to be a world champion steer wrestler as well in 2001.
Myers’ daughter is Tygh Hiatt, also a stand-out all-around rodeo competitor. Tygh’s son, Myers’ grandson, is Quade Hiatt who currently sits number 11 in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) tie-down roping world standings with more than $75,000 earned by mid-August.
The younger brother Cash Myers qualified for the NFR seven times in steer wrestling and tie-down roping. He also made quite a name for himself in the steer roping event where he qualified for the National Finals eight different times.
Cash Myers summed it up. “I think my brother, Rope, and my sister, Tygh, and I want to remember our father, not only for his achievements in the arena, but also how he touched other people in rodeo through his rodeo schools.
“I think the legacy of Dad is family and rodeo and not only trying to achieve his own success but inspire others and teach others. He also was very proud of the fact that his kids and grandkids all competed in rodeo. We were all consumed with rodeo.
“Dad was a great role model who wasn’t stingy with his success tips and teachings,” Cash Myers added.
Butch Myers produced many successful clinics to train up the next generation of world rodeo champions which can be evidenced within his own family.
Myers’ nephew is Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame member Ty Murray, Butch’s sister Joy Myers Murray’s son.
“With the passing of my uncle, Butch Myers, we’ve lost a legendary cowboy and rodeo competitor,” Murray said. “Butch was a huge inspiration and teacher to me and my cousins. Nobody ever loved the game of rodeo more. He was still competitively tie-down roping calves until he passed.”
It is said Myers continued to do 1,500 pushups every day.
He won the NFR steer wrestling average, 44.3-seconds on ten head, in 1986. In 1997, with 43.3-seconds, Myers broke his own record, at age 52, which was 13 years older than the next oldest competitor. Rope Myers broke Butch’s NFR record with 37.4-seconds on 10 in 2001, and also won the world.
After graduating from high school, Butch Myers went on to receive a bachelor’s of ag science degree from Colorado State University in 1968 and a master’s degree in agricultural education from Kansas State University in 1973.
Myers taught vocational agriculture and was the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter advisor at Colony in the east central Kansas district. His teams always ranked high in shop division competitions on the district, state, and national levels.
The Colony FFA Chapter sponsored several high school rodeos while Myers was serving as advisor.
He had a practice arena at his home near Welda where rodeo training sessions and jackpot competitions s were frequently hosted.
Part of a high school state champion basketball team, Myers ultimately turned down a full-ride scholarship to play college football. Rodeo was his passion.
Myers started his rodeo career early on and earned many accolades. An all-around champion in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association, he was a champion bareback bronc rider in college and two-times the International Finals Rodeo steer wrestling champion.
A celebration for the life of Butch Myers was July 29, 2024, at Living for the Brand Cowboy Church, with Pastor Rick Davis officiating.
His influence continues today through clinics hosted by his sons and now grandchildren. Myers’ legacy and love for the sport of rodeo will forever be remembered.
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