It has been said that if there was a forest of rodeo stars, Jim shoulders would be the tallest tree in the forest.
That tree was honored Saturday morning when the Jim Shoulders Monument was presented to the community.
Some 200 people were on hand for the unveiling at Nichols Park, many of whom rode with the world champion cowboy or worked with him in his ranching duties.
“He was like a second father to me,” said six-time world champion bull rider Donny Gay. “Sharon was a second mother.”
Gay pointed out that people know Jim Shoulders and the rodeo community is better for him being a part of it.
“He is the reason the National Finals Rodeo started in 1959 in Dallas and he was behind the move to Oklahoma City in 1965. Rodeo was going to die a slow death until it got to Oklahoma City. Jim was part of those who made it succeed.”
Gay came to Henryetta to work and learn with Shoulders at his ranch and said, “Henryetta has something awfully special. This (the monument) will give a starting point for people interested in the rodeo world to see where it came from.”
He recalled how tough the internationally-known Shoulders was when, two days before a rodeo at Grand Prairie, Texas, Shoulder broke his leg. “He gets a cast down to his toes and drives to Texas. My dad helped make a sling and a collar that could be on the horse that he put his leg through. He worked over four hours and never got off his horse. Physically, he is the toughest guy I have ever been around.
Nodding to his father Neal, in the audience, he said he was put in the perfect position to become a good cowboy. “With that instruction and opportunity, we have been real successful.”
Shoulders’ wife, Sharon said all Jim wanted to do is be a rancher and cowboy. “Some of you were born and raised in the community. Jim and I chose to move and live here. He would often said, ‘I live in the garden spot of the world, God’s country. That’s Henryetta.’”
Her brother, John "Corky" Heindselman, recalled the comic side of Jim Shoulders, relating a story when Sharon’s father was using dynamite to remove rocks for a post hole, Shoulders ignited a firecracker behind him resulting in the predictive fright.
“He was full of life. He could also get emotional and had a tender, caring side. Once when his youngest daughter was being born, Jim was in tears when Sharon was in labor.”
Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo committee co-chairs Mark and Tammie Hiatt said the monument project, “has been a humbling experience for us.”
“We want to thank Jim for putting us on the map,” Hiatt added. “If he had chosen another town, where would be have been?”
“This monument has brought our community together,” said Mark Hiatt. He encouraged everyone to come to the rodeo Sept. 1 and 2. “There’s a lot of Jim in that rodeo arena.”
State Senator Roger Thompson told the audience that he has been working with a group of investors who want to locate in Oklahoma because of the work ethic. “We are recognizing a man who had that work ethic. We give honor to whom honor is due and it is due Jim Shoulders.”
Mark and Tammie Hiatt removed the canvas surrounding the man-made rock monument revealing the photo of Shoulders and the inscription, “Our Heroes Will Always Be Cowboys.”
