Mr. Thyrl Allen Latting

LATTING Thyrl Latting, 80, beloved husband of Harriett; loving father of Mike (Nina), Tracy, and the late JoAnne; and loving grandfather of Christopher, Kelley, and Michelle; brother of Stanley Sr., Ralph Sr., and Janice; Retired C.P.S. teacher from Dunbar Vocational and C.V.S. High Schools; Originator of Latting Rodeo Productions, Inc. and the Thyrl Latting Rodeo Spectacular. Gathering Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 10 AM; Mass 11 AM at St. Benedict Church 2339 W. York, Blue Island, IL; Inurnment immediately following; at St. Casimir Cemetery. Thyrl Allen Latting was born on June 10, 1932 to Maurice and Naomi Latting on Chicago's west side. When he was ten years old, his parents moved the family to suburban Robbins, Illinois. The eldest of four children, Thyrl attended the Lincoln Memorial Grammar School, which is now known as the CEDA building on 139th Street. He graduated from Blue Island Community High School, (which is now Eisenhower High School), and earned his Bachelor's degree from Chicago State University. Thyrl's passion for horses began at the age of six, as he listened to the western-themed radio programs such as "The Lone Ranger." The open field next to his family's home in Robbins was the perfect place to keep a horse, and when he was 13 years old, his grandmother gave him the money ($60) to buy his first horse, Tappy. He worked several odd jobs to buy hay and feed for his horse, and spent hours dedicating himself to his new passion and responsibility. Thyrl was 16 years old when he met the love of his life, Harriett Brown, at the Boots and Saddle Ranch in Harvey, Illinois. They shared an enthusiasm for horses. With his mother's forged signature on the permission slip, he rode his first bucking horse at the age of seventeen, and was hooked on rodeo. Thyrl and Harriet were married in 1951, and from that union, three children were born: Mike, Joanne, and Tracy. Thyrl and Harriett raised their family in Robbins where they could keep horses in the backyard. Thyrl was employed for fifteen years at a foundry, beginning as a laborer and finishing as plant superintendent. Then as a shop teacher in the Chicago Public Schools system, he taught cast metals to his students at Dunbar and CVS High Schools for 21 years until his early retirement in 1991. His passion was always for horses and rodeo. Beginning at the age of 17, Thyrl spent his weekends traveling the country, competing in rodeos for the 13 years. When he turned 30, Thyrl decided to transition from rodeo contestant to instructor at his own rodeo school in Robbins, which was held in the pens in his backyard. He taught many cowboys the events in which he had competed: steer wrestling, bareback riding and bull riding. In July, 1964 he produced his first rodeo in his backyard, just a short distance where he grew up, and the Robbins Fire Department was the proud sponsor; and Latting Rodeo Productions, Inc. was born. Over the years, LRP has produced and supplied bucking horses and bucking bulls for many rodeos throughout the Midwest and beyond including "The World's Toughest Rodeo" which was sponsored by the Stetson Hat Company. World's Toughest produced shows in Washington DC, Madison Square Garden, The Canadian National Exposition and Fair in Toronto, Atlanta, Chicago, and points in between. Thyrl was especially proud of the All-Black Rodeo, under the name "The Thyrl Latting Rodeo Spectacular," which for many years made its home at the International Amphitheater in Chicago. For more than 40 years, Thyrl has been known in the rodeo world for having some of the best bucking horses in the business. Although he originally started to purchase horses out of the Northwestern U.S., his horse notoriety did not ensue until he began his own breeding program at the company ranch in St. Anne. From this program, many world champion horses have been crowned at the International Professional Rodeo Association Finals Rodeo, headquartered in Oklahoma City. Thyrl said many times that none of this would have been possible without the help of his wife of 61 years, Harriett. Thyrl retired from the rodeo business, and the company is now owned and operated by his son Mike. Latting Rodeo Productions continues to have the reputation for having some of the best horses in the country. Thyrl was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Naomi, and daughter Joanne. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife Harriett, son Mike (Nina), daughter Tracy, grandchildren Christopher, Kelley, and Michelle, brothers Stanley Sr. (Barbara), Ralph Sr. (Marie), sister Janice, nieces and nephews (all of whom loving call him Uncle Sonny), cousins, and friends that span the country.