Jim Shoulders

James A. "Jim" Shoulders (May 13 1928 – June 20 2007) was a Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame cowboy who has won more World Championship Rodeo Cowboy awards than any other Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association contestant. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,285055,00.html Fox News "Top Rodeo Cowboy Dies" 20 June 2007] He also did advertising for Miller Lite with former New York Yankees manager Billy Martin. [AP via CF News "Rodeo Cowboy Jim Shoulders Dies at 79" 20 June 2007] Shoulders helped to design Wrangler Jeans 13MWZ Cowboy Cut jeans and was a spokesman for Justin Boots. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/20/AR2007062002284_2.html?nav=rss_metro/obituaries "Washington Post", "Legendary Rodeo Champion Jim Shoulders, 79" 21 June 2007] ]

Shoulders won his first bull riding competition at the age of fourteen in Oilton, Oklahoma. His son, Marvin Paul Shoulders, also competed professionally in the bull riding event. His PRCA World Championships include five "World All-Around Rodeo Champion Cowboy" awards (1949, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959), [Infoplease "Pro RodeoAll-Around Champion Cowboy"] seven Bull Rider awards (1951, 1954-1959), and four Bareback Rider awards (1950, 1956, 1957, 1958). [ [http://newsok.com/article/3068519 "The Oklahoman" "Jim Shoulders, rodeo legend, dies at 79" June 20 2007] ] He was the first competitor to win three events at the world championships (Bareback, Bull Riding and All Around), earning him a $5,000 payday. His lifetime rodeo earnings exceeded $400,000.

He owned the bull Tornado which had thrown over 200 riders over a 14 year span before Freckles Brown successfully rode him in the 1967 Finals. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/20/AR2007062002284_2.html?nav=rss_metro/obituaries "Washington Post", "Legendary Rodeo Champion Jim Shoulders, 79" 21 June 2007] ]

Shoulders suffered a string of injuries that led to his retirement from active rodeo participation: he broke both arms twice; broke his collar bone three times; suffered a broken ankle; had knee repair surgery and plastic surgery to his face. He bought a convert|400|acre|km2|1|sing=on ranch in Oklahoma, [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/20/AR2007062002284_2.html?nav=rss_metro/obituaries "Washington Post", "Legendary Rodeo Champion Jim Shoulders, 79" 21 June 2007] ] became a livestock producer, and reared four children with his wife, Sharon L. Shoulders, to whom he was married in 1947. The couple resided in Henryetta, a small city in Okmulgee County in eastern Oklahoma, until his death from a heart ailment. [AP via CF News "Rodeo Cowboy Jim Shoulders Dies at 79" 20 June 2007]

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