09/04/2026
I was 5 years old and Jim and my dad thought it would be cool for me to ride a calf after the national anthem to start the PRCA show during the fair.
I landed on my back and lost my breath for the first time in my life…i thought I was dying…right there in the rodeo arena at 5 years old.
Jim was a special human. My dad loved him…he will be missed.
James (Jim) Sutton Jr.
4-20-1935 ~ 9-3-2026
Today, we said goodbye to our patriarch, an innovator, record setting athlete and a true cowboy legend.
Our legend.
He believed in hard work, high integrity, superior performance and had a true love for competition, quality livestock, production & entertainment.
His wisdom was earned through a lifetime of experiences on the ranch, in the arena, on the court, the field and the rodeo road.
His influence was felt throughout the Western industry, leaving behind a legacy that is far from finished. It lives on in the values he taught, in the land he loved, and the stock he raised.
A great man.
A great cowboy.
A great dad and grandfather.
A great leader.
A life well lived.
We say farewell with sorrow, but also with gratitude.
May he make this final ride knowing he leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and a legacy that they will strive to carry on.
Rest easy, your work here is done.
Jim’s services are pending and in preparation for this day, he has requested that in lieu of flowers any memorials be sent to the following organizations that were so important to him throughout his life;
- SDSU Athletic-Rodeo/Basketball
- Casey Tibbs Hall of Fame, Ft Pierre, SD
- ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Colorado Springs, CO
