Larry Dawson

The services will be streamed on our Facebook page, it will start approximately 15 minutes prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Coors Cowboy Club Scholarship Fund or the Justin's Cowboy Crisis Fund
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
PO Box 276
Vici, OK 73859

Larry Ray Dawson was born January 27, 1939, in Sunray, Texas, to C.H." Babe" and Faye Dawson and completed his earthly journey on August 28, 2025 in Cheyenne, Oklahoma at the age of eighty-six. He grew up in Stinnett, Texas, alongside his siblings Fred, Rooster and Harriette. From an early age, sports became the heartbeat of Larry's life. During his school years in Stinnett, he excelled in football, basketball, and track. A natural leader and fierce competitor, he guided his high school football team to the 1956 State Championship and received All-State honors in football, basketball and track.

Following his graduation in 1957, Larry accepted a football scholarship to Texas Christian University. At TCU, he helped lead the Horned Frogs to back-to-back Southwest Conference Championships in 1958 and 1959 and was an All American athlete. Never one to limit himself to a single pursuit, he was also a member of the TCU rodeo team, competing in bull riding and steer wrestling. Rodeo would soon become his lifelong passion. Larry graduated from TCU in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.

That same year, he was drafted to play professional football with the Dallas Cowboys. Yet, the call of rodeo proved stronger, and in 1962 he purchased his Rodeo Cowboys Association (later PRCA) card. Alongside rodeo, Larry also poured his heart into coaching, serving as a high school coach in Borger, Spearman, Eagle Pass, and Perryton, Texas, for nearly a decade. Afterward, he spent several years working in the feedlot business in Gruver, Texas, before devoting himself fully to ranching and professional rodeo. This decision led him to qualify and compete in the steer wrestling at the National Finals rodeo in 1976. Though steer wrestling was his signature event, he also competed in calf roping and single steer roping. Rodeo carried him across the country and beyond, creating lifelong friendships and countless memories. He often spoke fondly of competing at legendary venues such as Cheyenne Frontier Days and Houston and his 1976 season where he won Denver, San Antonio, Ft.Worth and the Calgary Stampede. A gifted storyteller, Larry loved to share colorful tales from his rodeo travels.

His love for the sport extended beyond competition. Larry judged and flagged numerous rodeos and events, serving as the first flag judge for the Timed Event Championship at the Lazy E Arena, judging the San Angelo Roping Fiesta for 25 years, flagging the National Finals Steer Roping in Laramie, Wyoming, judging the Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas since its inception in 1987 and he was instrumental in the formation of the annual Spicer Gripp memorial roping, to name a few. He served on the PRCA Board of Directors as the steer wrestling director from 1978 to 1981 and gave his time to the Tri-State High School Rodeo Association from 1993 to 2001.

On New Year's Day in 1981, Larry was united in marriage to Carolyn "Sparky" Bradshaw at Arnett, Oklahoma. They blended their families-Jace Dawson, Larry's son from his previous marriage to Pat Farren and Sparky's sons, Jason Bradshaw, and Jack Bradshaw-together they were later blessed with a daughter, Julie Raye Dawson.. Their home on the Packsaddle ranch was filled with ranch work, horse training, school functions and labors of love. Though Larry retired from steer wrestling in the late 1980s, he devoted himself to coaching young athletes through steer wrestling schools, often providing the horses and helping rodeo cowboys sharpen their skills in the practice pen. The annual single steer roping event held at the ranch arena, and later in Arnett, was always a highlight of the summer.

Larry had a quick wit and a definite presence. He was a stranger to no one and spoke his mind without remorse. You heard what Larry had to say whether you wanted to or not! In spite of his gruff exterior, he had a big heart. The door to Larry and Sparky's home was always open-to their children's friends, to rodeo cowboys, to "wanna-be" cowboys and to countless friends who found a welcome place around their table.

Larry was a PRCA Gold Card member, a lifetime member of the AQHA and a member of the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Ass'n. His accolades include induction into the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, recognition as Texas Tri-State Fair & Rodeo Cowboy of the Year in 2000, induction into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2013, and being named the region's top football player of the 1950s by the Amarillo Globe-News in 2001.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, C.H."Babe" and Faye Dawson; his brother and sister in law, Fred and Peggy Dawson, his sister, Harriette Watson; his son, Jason Bradshaw; and other beloved family members.

He is waiting at the end of the trail for his beloved wife, Sparky; son, Jack Bradshaw and wife Jennifer; son Jace Dawson and wife Alyson; daughter, Julie Dawson Johnson and husband Adam. Eight grandchildren, Frankie Jo and Kelli Bradshaw; Perry, Cal and Sunny Bradshaw; Rhett and Kate Dawson and Leddy Johnson; his brother, Rooster Dawson and wife Rosie; brother in law Tommy Watson and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends near and far.

Whether on the field, in the arena, or on the ranch, Larry gave his all and inspired others to do the same. His legacy is carried forward not only in the memories of his accomplishments, but by those who saw him as more than a role model or mentor, to them he was a hero!