August 31, 2022 Issue, Page 22 of 30

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PG12 AT THE RODEO, August 31, 2022 =" eon Clown, Barrel Man, Bull Fight erTed Kimzey’s Career Full of Memories and Friendships By Sheryl Ponce send hima letter or call him. he had a horseback you took your boots down When Kimzey started rodeoing or riding to the end of the arena. You went down there Strong City’s Ted Kimzey has had a long he was a youngster, not even a teenager yet. on horseback and got off. You had to put your and successful career in the rodeo arena. He His mother and father took him to some ju- boots on and get back on your pony and ride has three children who have and are making nior rodeos. back. The very first buckle I ever won was ina their marks in their own rodeo careers. He “L grew up around horses. I don't know how saddle race,” Kimzey said. is father to Dusta Kimzey O'Connell, Sage young it was when I started riding horses. As he looked back over his career, he had Kimzey and Trey Kimzey. They are who he I've got pictures of me riding in front of my a difficult time finding the most memorable cherishes as he has returned to Strong City to dad when I was in diapers, but that didn't re- time or event. There were numerous take ranch and farm. ally count. I didn't have control of the horse. aways for the seasoned clown. After thinking “Tm from Strong City. I'm the fifth genera- But I grew up around, not particularly rodeo, about it, he said that it has been the friend- tion that's lived on the original homestead. but the western world. And when those little ships that he made along the way. He has I'm the fifth generation that still owns the junior rodeos started, I guess my dad just been all over the United States and in many original homestead,” Kimzey began to tell his thought it would be cool, and that I would like other countries, and in each town or state he story. it. So he took me to some, and I entered what has developed friendships that have with- He graduated from Strong City. He admits we would call nowadays non rodeo events like stood the passage of time. to still being old school, still carrying a flip the barrel racing, but thatisn't as you knowit, “One of the very first things that made an phone. He does not do the internet or text, al- the flag race. I thinkI was even in a what they impact was winning the bull ride at the Ro- ‘Ted Kimzey rolled his barrel into arena at though he does get pictures of his grandson, call a boot race one time, but one like what deo of Champions (Elk City) when I was 18 ne National Finals Rodeo. This painting is Steel. If someone wants to get ahold of him, you see on the cowboy channel now. I mean, See Clown page 13. hanging on his wall in his home. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. Time for the Rotleo Dpe 723 §. Merritt Road Elk City, OK 73644 580-225-6922 er PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF Kervin Orgain - Owner 217 W. 12th, Elk City OKLAHOMA Jeep @ re eAnve license #016709 - 24 Hr Service Commercial - Residential - Industrial An AEP Company i a Some 580-225-2447/800-291-1575 BOUNDLESS ENERGY™