Ronald William Wiseman, known by most as “Rodeo Ron,” rode off into the sunset on Wednesday, November 5 at the age of 76. He was a tough cowboy, a dedicated family man, and the kind of boss who always expected you to “Cowboy Up.”
Ron’s lifelong love of the rodeo started at an early age, with him riding bareback bucking horses at any event he could make it to. After serving his country in the National Guard, he settled down in Clayton and began to start a family.
He continued entering rodeos until his wife, Judy, decided “enough is enough.” But Ron wasn’t finished with the arena. He channeled his passion into a thriving business, taking photographs and building rodeo equipment. He was a true craftsman, personally sewing leather products (chaps, spur straps, even a saddle) and welding spurs and bits, enabling him to continue traveling to the rodeos he loved. From there, he built the Wiseman Rodeo Company as a stock contractor and became the boss, a role he took immense pride in. His stock contractor achievements were legendary. His horse, “Vermejo,” was named Bucking Horse of the Year for NMRA and TCRA several years in a row, and was a runner-up for Bareback Horse of the Finals at the North American Rodeo Commission World Finals. Ron also had several PBR bulls and was most proud of his bull, “Indian Outlaw,” who made it all the way to the prestigious PBR Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. Through it all, his family was his dedicated crew. His wife and children dutifully followed him throughout the summers, driving, working, and riding alongside him, building a life centered on the open road and the grit of the rodeo circuit. Ron was also a hardworking rancher and cattle hauler, the kind of man who could build anything, having constructed a cabin, barn, and arena with his own hands. Though he was known for teasing others and being a tough cowboy, he was a giant-hearted man who loved his people. After selling the rodeo company, you’d most often find him on a Sunday afternoon, settled comfortably on the sofa, watching his recorded rodeos.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Judy, his children Ronell, Matthew (wife Alauna), Jana (husband Kevin), Amber (husband Gordon), 11 grandkids, and two great-grandkids as well as a whole lot of tough, stubborn cowboys and cowgirls who carry his spirit. He is also survived by his sister Yvonne Brozo and brother Dewayne Wiseman. He was preceded in death by his parents WA “Buster” and Clyta (Mahannah) Wiseman.
Ron was raised in the Baptist church and later started attending Cowboy Church, getting baptized in 2014.
Services will be held at Five States Livestock Auction, 54 Lake Hwy in Clayton, Thursday, November 13 at 11:00am. Feel free to bring a dish as a shared meal will follow.
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