Country Lifestyles
March 2017 Profile – A Champion in Various Arenas : Buddy Cockrell
By Jessica Crabtree
When Gene O. “Buddy” Cockrell was young, his brother Lee began calling him brother, mispronouncing it the word came out sounding like “Bubber.” That was when the family began calling him “Buddy” and the name stuck. Cockrell was born in June of 1934 in Pampa, Texas, and was raised on his grandparents’ farm, and ranch located twelve miles east of Pampa. “I was sent to the field to plow when I was six years old,” Cockrell said. Work was ever constant on the farm, plowing, feeding livestock and making hay all by a team of horses before modernization introduced a tractor to the farm.
By age seven Cockrell was aboard a horse riding. “There was a six to seven year stint of us riding almost daily for three months.” Cockrell went on to explain, “Screw worms were not eradicated yet and every summer day we checked calves. Newborns’ navels would have screwworms or if newly branded, the brand would be filled with worms—any open wound. Lee and I would take and clean off the worms and smear a black ointment called black widow smear on the area.”
This process went on for several summers while getting more manageable yearly, while still living at home. “Finally the screwworm was eradicated after Lee and I had left home in 1964 by sterile flies.”
“We would milk before school each morning, get on the school bus and ride 12 miles. We went to an old country school with one room; all grades were together,” Cockrell recalled. “I remember two boys failing and having to sit in the corner. Both would chew tobacco and spit it out the window,” he laughed. Cockrell completed school, graduating from Pampa High school in 1954.
In junior high and high school Cockrell found his size and stature of six-foot three inches tall and 220 lbs. were an advantage in sports. He lettered in shot put, football and basketball playing defensive end and offensive tackle in football.
Cockrell was a natural athlete, finding great success in various games, even being chosen for the National High School All American Football Team, playing on the 1953 State Champion Pampa High School basketball team and that same year winner of the regional heavy weight Golden Glove boxing, winning his first match with a 43 second knock out.
To read more pick up a copy of the March 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Football photo of Cockrell while playing football at OU. (Photos courtesy of Geneva Cockrell)
Cockrell — horse trainer, professional football player, rodeo cowboy and entrepreneur.
Cockrell steer tripping at the Windy Ryon Memorial Day Roping.
Cockrell’s football card when playing for the New York Titans.
By Bryce
He kicked the goose down blanket to the cold and wood planked floor.
You could see his breath as he was headed for the bathroom door.
He tiptoed down the hall. His feet were bare, in need of socks. And wished that he’d at least tried on his Christmas present Crocks.
His gout caused him to stumble, bumped a cracked and aging mirror. The cowboy’s true reflection forced an old man to appear.
The cowboy hesitated. Both hands were aged and shook. But he stretched and straightened out the mirror. This time he dared a look.
His face was worn and wrinkled, gray hair knotted on his head. Eyebrows kinked and twisted showed a hint of younger red.
The wrinkles in his face proved years of riding in the sun, and maybe too much bourbon from his younger days of fun.
The cowboy quizzed the old man, “Are you sure you’re really me?” The old goat in the mirror replied, “You don’t like what you see?”
“You’ve walked past me a thousand times and never shot a glance. Your gaze into the mirror today is more than happenstance.”
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Dal Houston
I have always liked dogs. Well, to say I have always really loved dogs would be more truthful – especially mutts or dogs from the pound. Until recent years, the only dogs I really did not like were pit bulls. It seemed like every other day there would be a news story about a pit bull mauling some child or elderly person, and in some cases, killing them. After hearing these stories, I often wondered why someone would want such a dangerous dog. I even remember hearing about some wanting to ban pit bulls from their communities, and at one time, I thought that may not be a bad idea.
I do not think I had ever had an encounter with a pit bull, nor did I know anyone who did, that caused this negative opinion, rather it was what I heard about the breed from others that turned me against them. Then, about eight years ago, while looking for cattle along the river, a pit bull pup, likely having been dumped, came out of the brush. Had it been a dog of any other breed, I would have had no qualms about approaching it, but I saw that thick, wide head, and all I could think was that I had better be careful because it was probably a dangerous dog. The pup was scared and standoffish, but after a while, we finally approached each other. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship, and, as I have recently learned, a dramatic eye-opening life lesson.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Annette Bridges
My country boy and I are in our fifth decade together, and that sounds like forever when I write it. I am thankful for our many years together, but these days I wish I could shake the feeling of time as fleeting. I am doing my best, however, to accept the progression of time as part of the miracle of life and focus on living each and every moment to its fullest potential.
Our past decade has been one of many changes, but maybe all decades are like that. Some
changes we want, some we do not. Some we create ourselves, some when we have no choice other than to accept them as part of life. I admit I have not been super happy with myself in recent years. I am carrying the extra pounds I promised myself I would not gain back. I still struggle with sadness and regret so deep that at times takes my breath away.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
-
Country Lifestyles1 year agoScott & Stacey Schumacher: A Growth Mindset
-
Country Lifestyles7 years agoStyle Your Profile – What your style cowboy hat says about you and new trends in 2017
-
Equine10 months agoThe Will to Win
-
HOME7 years agoGrazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
-
Country Lifestyles4 years agoAmber Crawford, Breakaway Roper
-
Outdoor9 years agoButtercup or Primrose?
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoDecember 2016 Profile, Rusty Riddle – The Riddle Way
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoJune 2016 Profile – The man behind the mic: Bob Tallman