The Final Ride of a Cowboy Artist That Stilled the West — And the Secret Behind His Paintings
On September 15, 2025, sad news swept across the rodeo and Western art community: Roger Ray Langford, cowboy artist and former rodeo competitor, passed away in Weatherford, Texas, at the age of 82. For many, he was not only a bull rider but also a painter who transformed dusty rodeo memories into vibrant works of art that carried the spirit of the American West.
From Texas Plains to the Rodeo Arena
Born and raised near Draw, Texas, Roger Langford grew up with a deep love for horses, cattle, and cowboy life. In 1962, he began competing with the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA) before later joining the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) from 1970 to 1976.
He gained recognition in bull riding, but his involvement in rodeo went far beyond competing. He worked as a ranch hand, a pickup man for Tommy and Bobby Steiner, and a flank man supporting major rodeo operations. These roles gave him a unique perspective on cowboy life that would later influence his art.
The Injury That Changed His Path
In 1976, a serious injury forced Roger to retire from active rodeo competition. Instead of stepping away from the rodeo world, he chose a new path: capturing the cowboy spirit on canvas.
He soon became known as the “Official Rodeo Cowboy Artist” for the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame (TRCHF). His paintings appeared at events, on calendars, and most importantly, in scholarship auctions that raised funds for the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls.
A Storyteller with Paint and Brush
What set Roger apart was not only his artistic skill but also his lived experience. He painted the rodeo from the inside — the anxious glance of a cowboy before mounting a bull, the tense seconds when a horse bucked wildly, the weary smile after a long day on the dusty trail.
To young recipients of the Cowboy Legacy Reunion scholarship, Roger’s art served as proof that cowboy heritage could be carried forward not only in the arena but also in the realm of art, where memories never fade.
A Legacy That Lives On
On the day of his passing, social media tributes poured in. One post from the Cowboy Legacy Reunion read: “Roger Langford has donated his artwork to us for years. Today, the world lost one hell of a Cowboy.”
Roger Langford’s departure left a void not only for his family and friends but for the entire cowboy community. Yet his legacy — his paintings and the stories they tell — will continue to speak for generations.