Former WNFR Bareback Rider Don Mayo Passes Away News 2023
Don Mayo, a former bareback rider for the National Finals Rodeo, passed away on May 21 in Stephenville, Texas. He was 84. From 1961 through 1963, Mayo competed in the NFR and finished second to Ralph Buell in 1962, a career-best result. Mayo was one of five children reared on the family farm and was born on August 23, 1939, in Grinnell, Iowa, to Charles and Bernice Haynes Mayo. The Mayo family produced hogs, cattle, maize, and soybeans. Mayo was accustomed to working long hours on the farm as a young child, feeding pigs and milking cows before dawn. Mayo attended Grinnell High School, where he excelled in wrestling, after attending the small, rural Sheridan Township School for his elementary education. Don, at 12 years old, came upon an article about Casey Tibbs, a showy dressed rodeo cowboy who rode a purple Cadillac, in Life Magazine in 1951. Don was adamant that he wanted to become a rodeo star after reading the essay. Soon after, Don and his younger brothers Paul, Bob, and Roger started practicing on the family farm’s cattle. When Don finally attended a neighborhood amateur rodeo, he won the bareback riding event and $18. He was addicted. Don began his career as a professional rodeo cowboy after receiving his high school diploma in 1957. Even though it was difficult at initially, Don was committed to winning. By 1961, Don had attained success and was able to compete in the bareback riding event at his first National Finals Rodeo. He qualified one again in 1962, and he won reserve world champion. Don was at the peak of his game and set on winning the world championship in 1963. At the age of 22, tragedy occurred while traveling to a rodeo on July 5, 1963. Don was engaged in an automobile accident with his younger brother Paul that left Don in serious condition and paralyzed from the waist down. Don would never again be able to use his legs, ending his hopes of becoming a cowboy world champion. At the time of the accident, he held a sizable lead in the race for the bareback riding world championship. Don didn’t give up though. He was determined to walk with crutches and not be confined to a wheelchair. Don was discharged from the hospital on crutches after putting in 18 months of diligent effort and therapy. After his accident, Don went on to have great success in the insurance and real estate industries. Despite his disability, he managed to learn how to fly a plane and eventually acquired four different aircraft, which he used to traverse the nation for more than 30 years selling life insurance. For his fortitude, resilience, and tenacity as well as his capacity to overcome obstacles and disappointments while maintaining a positive outlook and never giving up on life, Don was an inspiration to many. Don was honored in Oklahoma City in 2002 by being admitted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame. In addition to his parents, Delores Weaver, Bob Mayo, and Paul Mayo, Don was also predeceased by his sister. Myrlen “Ling” Mayo, his devoted wife of 18 years, his brother Roger Mayo, his nephews Beau and Les Mayo, Jim and Mark Weaver, and his nieces Mary Whitehead and Diane Heaton all survive him. On Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. (CT), the Stephenville Cowboy Church of Erath County will host a memorial ceremony for Don Mayo. Courtesy of PRCA
